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UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
LIBRARY 


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THE 


History  of  Florence, 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


INCLUDING   A  COMPLETE   ACCOUNT 
OF   THE 

Northampton  Association  of  Education  and  Industry 


ILLUSTRATED. 


EDITED    BY 

CHARLES    A.    SHEFFELD 


FLORENCE,   MASS.: 
PUBLISHED    BY    THE    EDITOR. 

1895. 


COPYRIGHT,    1894, 

By   CHARLES   A.   SHEFFELD. 


SPRINGFIELD    PRINTING    AND    BINDING 
SPRINGFIELD,    MASS. 


TO    MY    GRANDFATHER, 

Samuel   Xapfoam  Ibill, 

WHOSE     KINDNESS     AND     BENEVOLENCE,    WHOSE     MORAL     COURAGE, 

REMARKABLE    SAGACITY,    AND    TIRELESS     ENERGY     WILL 

EVER     BE     GRATEFULLY     REMEMBERED     BY     THE 

CITIZENS     OF     FLORENCE, 

I     DEDICATE    THIS    BOOK. 


PREFACE. 


Many  events  have  occurred  in  Florence  that  have  rendered  it  a 
village  of  especial  interest  and  have  given  it  distinction,  and  this  work 
is  offered  to  the  public  in  the  hope  that  not  only  its  present  citizens,  but 
those  who  will  make  Florence  their  home,  in  years  to  come,  may  find  it 
both  interesting  and  valuable. 

Three  years  ago,  upon  the  suggestion  of  a  friend,  a  book  illustrating 
the  picturesque  attractions  of  the  village  was  conceived,  and  a  beginning 
made.  As  no  one  could  be  found  to  contribute  an  adequate  historical 
sketch,  the  writer  reluctantly  assumed  the  task. 

A  little  research  revealed  a  mine  of  material  as  yet  undisturbed  by 
the  historian's  pickaxe,  which  made  it  apparent  that  something  more 
comprehensive  than  a  mere  sketch  was  needed,  and  the  result  is  the 
history  that  forms  Part  I.  However,  the  original  idea  of  giving  variety 
to  the  text  by  having  many  contribute  has  not  been  abandoned,  but 
instead  of  the  six  articles,  at  first  projected,  the  number  has  been  in- 
creased to  thirty-seven. 

We  take  pleasure  in  acknowledging  our  great  indebtedness  to  the 
researches  of  Sylvester  Judd,  Esq.,  and  to  the  files  of  the  Gazette,  which 
have  yielded  valuable  material.  Other  sources  of  information  have  been 
the  town  and  count}'  records,  the  manuscript  documents  of  the  old 
"Community,"  and  the  memories  of  aged  persons.  We  are  under  special 
obligations  to  our  contributors,  whose  assistance  has  added  much  to  the 
value  of  the  work. 

The  engravings  were  made  by  the  Springfield  Photo-Engraving 
Company  and  the  Boston  Engraving  Company  from  pen  and  ink 
sketches,  of  which  the  greater  number  were  the  work  of  Miss  Susanne 
Lathrop,  and  of  which  four  were  contributed  by  Miss  Helen  Louise 
Davis,  and  from  photographs  by  Clifton  Johnson,  Ferdinand  Schadee, 
W.  A.  Sheldon,  and  the  Editor.  The  landscapes  on  pages  70  and  91 
were    photographed    by    Miss    Mabel    Hinckley,    who    manifested    as   an 


4  PREFACE. 

amateur  photographer  the  enthusiasm  and  devotion  that  were  distin- 
guishing traits  of  her  character.  To  her  the  Editor  owes  his  interest  in 
the  camera,  an  interest  that  finally  led  to  the  inception  of  this  book. 

To  the  custodians  of  the  records  in  public  offices  and  to  their  clerks  ; 
to  the  librarians  at  the  Center  and  Florence;  to  James  R.  Trumbull, 
for  valuable  assistance  with  the  Judd  manuscripts  ;  to  E.  C.  and  E.  E. 
Davis,  for  instruments  loaned  to  take  altitudes  ;  to  The  Price  &  Lee  Co., 
for  permission  to  use  the  map  of  Florence  ;  to  Charles  F.  Warner,  for  per- 
mission to  use  the  biographical  sketch  of  C.  C.  Burleigh,  first  published 
in  the  Hampshire  County  Journal;  to  Miss  Ella  C.  Elder  and  Miss  Ellen  E. 
Osgood,  for  helpful  and  painstaking  criticisms  upon  the  Editor's  manu- 
script ;  to  Arthur  G.  Hill,  for  unwearied  co-operation  in  many  directions, 
as  well  as  to  the  multitude  of  other  friends,  at  home  and  abroad,  whose 
kindness  has  been  unfailing, — the  Editor  hereby  tenders  grateful  thanks. 

Florence,  Mass..  December  22,  1894. 


PART   I 


CHAPTER  I. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL.  „A,.„ 

PAGE. 

Natural  Features  of  the   Territory — Description   of  Ancient   Localities,   and 

Places  of  Special  Interest 1 1 

CHAPTER  II. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

i  How  Northampton  was  Settled — The  Nonotuck  Indians — The  Deed  of  North- 
ampton— Condition  of  the  Country  as  the  Settlers  Found  it — The  Divis- 
ion of  the  Lands  at  Nonotuck iS 

CHAPTER  III. 

FROM     1654    TO    FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 

The  First  Visit  of  the  English  to  Florence  Territory,  and  the  First  Owners 
of  Land  there — The  First  Enterprise  in  Florence — The  Sawmill  of  Ly- 
man Brothers,  Wright  <S:  Parsons — The  One  Acre  Grant  to  Parsons, 
and   its   Contribution  to  the  Early  History  of  the  Place — The  Hulberts,    22 

CHAPTER  IV. 

F I  R.ST   SETTLEMENT. 

The  French  and  Indian  Wars  Hindered  the  Settlement  of  Outlying  Dis- 
tricts— The  Settlement  Begun — The  First  House  Built — Daniel  War- 
ner the  Second  Settler — Story  of  the  Phelps  House — Gaius  Burt  Comes 
in  179S — Josiah  White  and  His  Oil  Mill — First  House  in  the  Center  of 
the  Village,  1809 29 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   V. 

SETTLEMENT   CONTINUED. 

PAGE. 

The  Tavern  of  Solomon  Warner — Captain  Julius  Phelps  Comes  in  1815 — 
Enoch  Jewett,  1816 — William  Warner,  1 S 1 7 — The  Seth  Warner  House — 
Colonel  Thomas  Pomeroy,  1820 — The  Dwight  Farm — The  Oliver  Warner 
Tavern  in  the  Twenties,  ..........     37 

CHAPTER    VI. 

FROM     1831    TO    1835. 

The  "Traveler's  Home" — The  Tavern  Stand  ;  and  an  Evening  Scene — Early 

Roads  and  Bridges — The  Later  History  of  the  Saw,  Grist  and  Oil   Mills,    45 

CHAPTER  VII. 

MULBERRY    FEVER    AND^SILK    ENTERPRISE. 


Early  Biography  of  Samuel  Whitmarsh— The  Northampton  Silk  Company — 
Later  Enterprises  of  Mr.  Whitmarsh — David  Lee  and  Lydia  Maria 
Child — Josiah  Gilbert  Holland, 55 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

/NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 

The  Spirit  of  the  Times — The  Transcendental  Movement — Kindred  Associa- 
tions, Brook  Farm  and  Hopedale— ^The  Projectors  of  the  Northampton 
Association — Why  Florence  was  Selected  as  the  Site  of  the  New  Venv 
ture — The  Leaders  Buy  the  Silk  Company's  Property — The  Preliminary 
Circular — Organization — Constitution  and  By-Laws — Items  from  the 
Secretary's  Book,     ............    65 

CHAPTER  IX. 

NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION. — Continued. 

The  Years  1843.  1844,  1845,  1846 — Causes  of  the  Dissolution — Membership 
List — Notes, 87 

CHAPTER  X. 

ABRIDGED    ANNALS. 

How  Florence  Took  its  Name — Population — First  Store — Post  Office  Estab- 
lished— Casualties — Cemeteries,      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .107 


PART    II. 

OLD  COMMUNITY  TIMES.  PAGE. 

Reminiscences,  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         •         •  M5 

By  Frances  P.  Judd. 

When  I  was  a  Boy,  n^ 

By  George  R.  Stetson. 

When  I  was  a  Girl,  ...........  123 

By  a  Community  Maiden. 

A  Young  Man  in  the  Community,  .         .         .         •         •         •         ■         •  '  -^ 

By  Giles  B.  Stebbins. 

^/U  hat  I  Found  at  the  Northampton  Association, i-9 

By  Frederick  Douglass. 

The  Hutchinsons'  Visit,  ..........         132 

By  John  W.  Hutchinson. 

RELIGIOUS    HISTORY. 


The  Congregational  Church,  ......-••         L37 

Historical  Sketch.     By  Rev.  E.  G.  Cobb. 
Quarter-Centennial — 1 866-1 891.     By  Frank  N.  Look. 

Methodism  in  Florence,  ........•■         >42 

By  Mary  E.  Gould. 

The  Church  of  the  Annunciation,  .........         1-1-5 

By  Rev.  P.  H.  Gallen. 

The  Free  Congregational  Society.  ........         146 

By  Henry  B.  Haven. 

EDUCATIONAL    HISTORY. 

The  Florence  Public  Schools, '51 

By  William  D.  Miller. 

The  Kindergarten 156 

Manual  Training,       ...........  J 59 

By  Rev.  Frederic  A.  Hinckley. 

The  Florence  Lyceum,      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         •         •         -         161 

By  Judge  Daniel  W.  Bond. 


8  CONTENTS. 

HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES. 

PAGE. 

Florence,    ..............         165 

By  Mrs.  Helen  T.  Clark. 

The  "  Underground  Railway," 165 

By  Joseph  Marsh. 

The  Florence  Dramatic  Club,  ...  .....         168 

By  Arthur  G.  Hill. 
The  Sewing  Machine  Band, 171 

By  Edward  Birge. 

The  Fire  Department,       ...........  176 

By  Clayton  E.  Davis. 

The  Eagle  Base  Ball  Club 179 

By  One  of  the  Players. 

My  Early  Recollections.  1 86 

By  John  B.  O'Donnell. 

The  Munde  Water  Cure, 190 

By  Paul  F.  Munde,  M.  D. 

Florence  in  the  Mill  River  Flood,  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         193 

By  Clayton  E.  Davis. 

Florence  and  the  War,       ...........  197 

By  Joseph  B.  Whitehouse. 


What  Florence  Needs, 

By  William  H.  Riley. 

The  Village  Improvement  Society, 
Bv  W.  L.  Wilcox. 


BIOGRAPHIES. 

Samuel  Lapham  Hill ^05 

Preface.     By  Seth  Hunt. 

Biographical  Sketch.     By  Arthur  G.  Hill. 

Charles  C.  Burleigh 211 

By  Seth  Hunt. 

Daniel  Greene  Littlefield, ->4 

By  the  Editor. 

Alfred  Theodore  Lilly, 216 

From  the  "  Memorial."' 

Alfred  P.  Critchlow 219 

By  George  P.  Warner. 


CONTENTS.  9 

PAGE. 

Elisha  Livermore  Hammond,  ...  .....        221 

By  1  [arriet  B.  ( rardner. 

Mary  White  Bond 224 

By  Martha  Bryant  Cary. 

( reorge  A.  Burr,        ............        227 

By  Frank  X.  Look. 

Henry  Herrick  Bond,       ...........         230 

By  Elizabeth  Powell  Bond. 

fohn  Lord  Otis,         ............         233 

By  the  Editor. 


Industrial  Interests, 237 


lip 


K\\?^m\^tedf>^  chapter,  i    z^^^mm 

^r  _,      _"'       — ^f',<-^-^S'':^- ZZT^^''^ ^=o»- 


Naturai.  Features  of  the   Territory. — Description  of  Ancient   Localities,  and 
Places  of  Special  Interest. 


A  brief  account  of  the  topography  of  Florence  is  necessary  to  familiar- 
ize the  reader  with  the  ancient  names  of  certain  portions  of  the  territory, 
and  to  save  the  continual  use  of  foot  notes.  Both  the  old  and  the  mod- 
ern names  are  given,  and  the  aim  has  been  to  afford  a  thorough  under- 
standing to  all  interested. 

Bounds. — Florence  is  not  incorporated,  being  simply  a  part  of  the 
city  of  Northampton,  and  distinct  division  lines  between  the  village  and 
adjacent  places  have  never  been  drawn.  The  limits  of  Florence  are  as 
vague  as  some  of  the  original  landmarks  in  the  ancient  deeds.  Individ- 
uals have  ventured  opinions  as  to  how  far  the  village  extended,  but  no 
two  have  agreed  on  just  the  same  boundaries.  After  consulting  many 
citizens,  the  following  lines  have  been  drawn  : — 

The  natural  geographical  center  of  the  village  is  near  the  junction  of 
Main  and  Maple  streets.  From  this  point  as  a  center,  with  a  radius  of  a 
little  more  than  three  fourths  of  a  mile,  or,  to  be  exact,  two  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  rods,  describe  a  circle.  The  1894  map  plainly  shows  this 
circle.  If  this  boundary  was  made  to  include  more  territory  to  the  north 
and  west  it  would  represent  the  average  opinion  of  those  consulted. 

Florence  is  beautifully  situated  two  and  one  half  miles  west  of  North- 
ampton center,  and  bounded  as  above  embraces  parts  of  Wards  five  and 
seven,  and  the  whole  of  Ward  six  of  the  city,  and  the  circle  with  a  diame- 
ter of  one  mile  and  three  fifths  incloses  an  area  of  about  thirteen  hundred 
acres. 

Elevations. — The  principal  part  of  Florence  is  a  plateau  considerably 
above  the  level  of  Northampton,  but  the  village  includes  a  few  elevations 
worthy  of  distinctive  names. 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Bear  Hill is  near  the  northwest  boundary  of  Florence,  and  north  of 
the  John  F.  Warner  homestead.  It  might  be  called  a  continuation  of 
the  elevation  extending  from  Haydenville,  through  the  northeast  portion 
of  Leeds.  From  the  junction  of  Bridge  road  and  North  Main  street,  a 
gradual  rise  northward  for  thirty  rods  brings  one  to  the  southern  sum- 
■■.. 


■:. 


MAI'    OF    FLORENCE. 


-1S94. 


mit,  but  the  highest  point  is  forty  rods  to  the  north.  This  has  an  eleva- 
tion of  about  two  hundred  feet  from  the  level  of  the  plain  below.  Bear 
Hill  is  the  largest  and  highest  hill  in  Florence.  When  the  Warners  came 
here  it  was  said  that  they  had  "moved  to  Bear  Hill."  The  name  is  of 
ancient  origin,  having  been  used  as  early  as  1754. 

Baker  s  Hill  is  next  in  size  to  Bear  Hill.  Strictly  speaking  it  is  not 
wholly  within  the  village  limits,  the  southeastern  declivity  being  part  of 
Bay  State.      It  rises  about  one   hundred   feet  above  the  general  level   of 


TOPOGRAPHICAL. 


13 


the  meadows  to  the  west,  and  takes  ils  name  from  Edward  Baker.  (See 
"  Baker's  Meadow.")  The  road  running  northeast  and  southwest  over 
its  summit  was  for  a  long  time  the  only  traveled  way  from  Florence  to 
Bay  State.  Many  of  the  older  residents  remember  climbing  the  hill  in 
going  from  village  to  village. 

Brush  Hill  and  Strawberry  Hill  are  names  applied  to  the  same  eleva- 
tion, the  former  being  the  ancient  and  the  latter  the  modern  appellation. 
The  summit  is  eighty  rods  northeast  of  the  steam  railroad  station.  In 
olden  times  there  were  numerous  "  Brush  "  Hills  in  the  western  part  of 
the  township  of  Northampton.  This  "  Brush  "  Hill  is  found  in  deeds 
bearing  the  date  of  the  opening  years  of  this  century,  and  for  a  long  time 
the  hill  was  known  by  this  name. 


FROM    DEAR    HILL — DOWN    THE    RAILROAD   TRACK. 

Streams. — Mill  River  is  the  only  stream  of  any  size  within  the  limits  of 
Florence.  It  enters  the  village  at  the  northwest  and  flows  southeasterly. 
One  branch  of  the  river  rises  in  the  hills  of  Goshen,  and  the  other  in  the 
southwestern  corner  of  Conway.  These  branches  uniting,  the  river  fol- 
lows a  southeasterly  course  and  empties  into  the  Connecticut  River  at  the 
"ox-bow."  It  is  noted  for  its  many  water  privileges,  and  was  made  mem- 
orable by  the  great  flood  that  swept  down  its  channel  in  1874,  entailing 
great  loss  of  life  and  property. 

Broughtoris  Brook:  The  northeast  corner  of  Florence,  east  of  Hol- 
voke  street,  is  drained  by  a  small  brook,  which  was  known  in  olden  times 
as   Broughton's   Brook.     John   Broughton,  formerly  of  Springfield,   was 


14 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


one  of  the  first  settlers  at  Northampton  in  1654.  The  brook  issues  from 
the  woods  east  of  Chestnut  street,  and  flows  southerly  through  the 
meadows,  entering  Mill  river  at  Bay  State.  When  electricity  came  into 
use  as  the  motive  power  on  the  street  railway,  a  dam  was  built  across 
this  stream  near  Locust  street.  At  one  time  it  must  have  been  quite  a 
stream,  but  for  several  years  the  amount  of  water  in  the  brook  has  been 
gradually  decreasing. 

Ponds. —  Warner's  Pond  is  the  modern  appellation  of  the  small  body 
of  water  lying  between  Locust  and  South  Main  streets.  Soon  after  1825 
(before  1830)  Enoch  Jewett  built  the  dam  across  Broughton's  Brook,  and 

raised  this  pond.  The 
pond  takes  its  name 
from  Joseph  Warner, 
silk  manufacturer,  for 
a  long  time  proprietor 
of  the  mills  now  com- 
monly called  Leon- 
ard's Silk  Mills,  sit- 
uated several  rods 
south  of  the  pond. 
Before  Mr.  Warner 
owned  the  mill  the 
pond  was    sometimes 

BAKER'S    HILL.-LOOKING    TOWARD    MOUNTAINS.  ^j^   Holland's  pQnd 

— Harvey,  son  of  Harrison,  and  brother  of  Dr.  Josiah  Gilbert  Holland, 
at  one  time  having  had  an  interest  in  these  mills. 

Round  Pond :  In  many  early  deeds  we  have  found  a  reference  to 
Round  Pond.  This  name  seems  to  have  been  applied  to  the  pond,  or 
more  truly  speaking  to  the  hole,  that  is  now  called  Frog  Pond.  It  lies 
just  north  of  Warren  street.  In  olden  times  the  water  in  this  locality 
was  more  abundant  than  now,  and  William  Strong,  born  1820,  says  that 
when  he  was  a  boy  and  living  here  (1830-40),  the  pond  covered  consider- 
able ground,  and  that  quantities  of   muck  were  dug  from  it  each  season. 

Meadows. — Broughton's  Meadow:  The  first  record  of  land  granted 
to  the  original  settlers  of  Northampton,  in  the  territory  now  embraced  by 
Florence,  was  a  grant  of  five  acres  in  the  meadows  in  the  western  part  of 
the  village,  now  known  as  Ross's  Meadow.  Broughton's  Meadow  was 
used  to  denote  this  locality  nearly  two  hundred  years,  from  1657  to  the 
dissolution  of  the   "Community''   in  1846. 

Baker's  Meadow :  The  only  way  that  an  early  grant  of  land  could  be 
designated  or  described  was  by  comparing  its  position  with  another  plot 
noted  for  some  geographical  peculiarity,  or  by  its  being  owned  by  a  per- 


TOPOGRAPHICAL. 


15 


son  conspicuous  in  the  affairs  of  a  certain  neighborhood.  A  descriptive 
term  found  continually  in  the  old  town  records  is  "  which  lyes  up  the 
Mill  River."  This  seems  a  vague  way  to  designate  a  piece  of  property, 
but  with  the  aid  of  an  additional  landmark  the  land  was  plotted  to  the 
satisfaction  and  understanding  of  those  concerned.  A  spot  in  Florence 
that  served  as  a  landmark,  or  general  reckoning  place,  in  the  early  days 
of  Northampton  was  known  as  Baker's  Meadow.  This  meadow  is  small 
in  size  and  lies  in  the  southerly  part  of  the  village,  south  of  River  road 
and  north  of  Mill  River,  the  western  end  being  about  one  hundred  rods 
below  the  dam  of  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Company.  It  is  one  of  the  few 
places  so  described  by  the  town  authorities  that  after  a  period  of  two 
hundred  years  the  boundaries  may  still  be  traced.  But  for  this  clear 
description  the  very  early  history  of  the  village  would  have  remained  in 
obscurity,  since  had  we  failed  to  recognize  Baker's  Meadow  the  task  of 
locating  the  one  acre  grant  to  Samuel  Parsons  (mentioned  in  Chapter 
IV.)  would  have  been  a  hopeless  one. 

The  original  grant  as  taken   from    the  town   records  is   as  follows  :— 

"  The  Record  of  Mr.  Edward  Baker's  land  : — More  granted  to  him  by  the 
Towne  of  Northampton  as  is  above  expressed  lying  up  the  Mill  River  a  prcell  of 
Meadow  lying  compassed  partly  with  a  steep  bank  somewhat  like  a  halfe  moone 
northerly,  easterly  against  the  hill  and  a  brooke,  Bordering  on  the  Mill  River 
Southerly,  (at)  the  other  end  of  the  Meadow  the  hilly  bank  comes  to  the  River; 
containing  in  estimation  nine  acres  be  the  same  more  or  lesse." 

The  date  of  this 
grant  was  April  2, 
1662.  An  examination 
of  this  meadow  will 
show  how  well  the 
grant  describes  the 
spot.  It  is  probable 
that  Baker's  Hill  was 
like  everything  else  in 
the  vicinity,  "  Neere 
Baker's  Meadow," 
and  after  a  time  took 
the  name  which  to 
this  day  commemo- 
rates the  first  owner  of  the  meadow  below. 

Stoddard's  Meadow  :  The  original  Stoddard's  Meadow  comprised  the 
land  east  of  Water  street  and  south  of  Mill  River,  and,  in  the  language  of 
the  authorities,  "  lys  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mill  River  opposite  or 
against  the  land  granted  by  the  towne  to  Edward  Baker,  and  is  known 


Warner's  (Leonard's)  pond. 


i6 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


by  the  name  of  Baker's  Meadow."  In  1701  this  triangular  meadow  was 
granted  Mr.  Stoddard  for  setting  up  a  sawmill.  Later  Stoddard's 
Meadow  was  the  name  given  to  all  the  interval  land  between  Nonotuck 
street  and  the  river,  from  the  oil  mill  on  the  west  to  Baker's  Hill  on  the 
east. 

Plains.— According  to  Temple  and  Sheldon's  "  Northfield  "  this  term 
as  used  by  the  early  settlers  had  a  restricted  meaning.  It  was  not 
applied  to  level  lands  in  general,  but  to  certain  well  defined  tracts  that 
had  some  common  peculiarity  of  soil  and  condition,  were  nearly  free 
from  trees,  and  could  be  readily  cultivated. 

Bear  Hill  Plain  is  mentioned  in  the  early  deeds  and  is  on  the  map  of 
1754.  This  name  was  applied  to  the  flat  country  north  of  the  railroad 
track,  south  and  east  of  Bear  Hill,  and  to  this  day  it  is  sometimes  called 
"  the  plains." 


BROUGHTON  S    MEADOW. 


The  Millstone  Mountain  Plain  recorded  on  the  early  maps  extended 
from  Bridge  road  near  the  Catholic  Cemetery  south  and  west  to  Locust 
and  Hatfield  streets.  When  the  railroad  was  built  from  Northampton 
to  Williamsburg  in  1867  the  cut  in  the  vicinity  divided  this  plain  into 
two  parts. 

Broughtoris  Meadow  Plain  is  occasionally  found  in  the  early  records, 
and  included  the  upland  above  the  river,  now  the  center  of  the  village. 
Before  the  formation  of  the  "  Community  "  the  term  was  in  common  use 
to  designate  this  locality.  Like  the  greater  part  of  the  ancient  names 
this  one  has  long  ceased  to  be  used,  and  is  only  found  in  the  musty 
records  of  the  past.  The  transfer  of  ownership  ordinarily  welcomes  a 
new  appellation,  unless  the  spot  bears  some  peculiarity  so  great  as  to 
render  it  and  the  old  name  inseparable. 


TOPOGRAPHICAL. 


17 


Miscellaneous. — Some  points  of  special  interest,  additional  land- 
marks, it  may  be  well  to  describe. 

Burt's  Pit,  named  for  Gaius  Burt,  lies  near  the  southwestern  boundary 
of  Florence,  off  the  road  leading  to  Easthampton.  It  was  previously 
called  Seeger's  Swamp.  Large  quantities  of  muck  are  annually  dug  in 
this  region.     "  Burt's  Road  "  leads  to  the  pit. 

Bear  Hill  Swamp  lies  northeast  of  the  hill,  in  the  rear  of  Spring 
Grove  Cemetery. 

Elevations. — For  those  who  enjoy  facts  the  following  table  has  been 
inserted.  With  few  exceptions  the  altitudes  have  been  taken  specially 
for  this  volume.  Figures  give  the  height  above  mean  sea  level.  The 
general  level  of  Florence  is  about  270  feet.  Slight  mathematical  calcu- 
lations will  give  the  relative  height  of  any  point. 

Junction  Main  and  Maple  streets,  275  feet. 

Bear  Hill,  north  summit,  494 

Bear  Hill,  south  summit,  430 

Baker's  Hill,  335 

Strawberry  Hill,  325 

Fortification  Hill,  332 

Millstone  Mountain.  300 

Junction  Federal  and  South  Main  streets,  214 

Dam  of  Nonotuck  Silk  Company,  232 

Dam  at  Bay  State  Cutlery,  202 

Junction  Nonotuck  and  Maple  streets,  235 

Floor  of  Meadow  street  bridge,  243 


MILL    RIVER — FROM    BRUSH    SHOP    BRIDGE. 


COSMIAN   hall.  EROUGHTON'S    MEADOW — VILLAGE    IN    DISTANCE.  SCHOOLHOUSK. 

METHODIST   CHURCH.  CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH. 


CHAPTER    II. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

How  Northampton  was  Settled. — The  Nonotuck  Indians. — The  Deed  of  North- 
ampton.—  Condition  of  the  Country  as  the  Settlers  Found  it.  —  The 
Division  of  the  Lands  at  Nonotuck. 

In  order  properly  to  follow  the  course  of  events  leading  to  the  settle- 
ment of  Northampton  and  Florence,  let  us  briefly  consider  what  otherwise 
might  seem  out  of  place  here.  The  great  English  emigration  to  this 
country  which  began  with  the  coming  of  the  Pilgrims  in  1620,  reached 
its  highest  mark  in  1630,  and  ten  years  later  had  nearly  ceased.  During 
this  time  twenty  thousand  English  came  to  New  England.  Towns 
multiplied  rapidly.  Differences  of  opinion  in  matters  of  town  govern- 
ment led  some  adventurous  ones  to  emigrate  to  the  Connecticut  Valley, 
and  by  1636  the  towns  of  Wethersfield,  Hartford,  Windsor,  and  Spring- 
field had  been  founded. 

The  "  Great  Falls,"  as  the  Indians  called  the  rapid  water  at  South 
Hadley,  hindered  the  settlement  of  the  attractive  country  north  of  them, 
because  all  supplies  had  to  come  to  the  new  plantations  by  way  of  the 
Connecticut  river,  therefore  no  one  desired  to  be  above  boat  navigation. 
So  it  was  eighteen  years  after  the  settlement  of  Springfield,  before  North- 
ampton was  founded  by  men  from  Wethersfield,  Windsor,  and  Springfield. 

The  Nonotuck  Indians  occupied  the  portion  of  the  Connecticut 
Valley  extending  from  South  Hadley  Falls  to  Mount  Wequomps  (now 
Sugar-Loaf).  In  1690  the  tribe  numbered  not  far  from  three  hundred 
souls,  and  not  more  than  one  hundred  of  these  could  have  been  warriors. 
They  had  forts  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  They  lived  on  fish,  game, 
nuts,  fruits,  berries,  tuberous  roots,  Indian  corn,  pumpkins,  and  after  the 
English  came  they  raised  a  kind  of  bean.  They  had  several  cultivated 
fields  of  from  twelve  to  twenty  acres  each.  The  English  always  pur- 
chased the  land  from  the  Indians,  who  knew  what  a  deed  meant. 


INTRODUCTORY.  19 

THE    DEED   OF    NORTHAMPTON. 

••  Be  it  known  by  these  presents,  that  Chickwallopp,  alias  Wawhillowa,  Nenas- 
sahalant,  Nassicohee,  Kiunks,  Paquahalant,  Assellaquompas,  it  Awonusk,  the  wife 
of  Wulluther,  all  Nonotuck,  who  are  the  chief  iV'  proper  owners  of  all  the  lands 
on  the  west  Side  of  Connecticut  river  at  Nonotuck,  on  the  one  *  do  give,  grant, 
bargain  &  Sell  unto  John  Pynchon,  of  Springfield,  on  the  other  party,  to  him, 
his  Heirs.  &  Assigns,  all  the  Grounds  &  Meadows,  Woods  &  Ponds  &  W  lying 
on  the  west  side  of  Ouonetticut  river,  beginning  the  Small  river  (belowMunham) 
called  Sankrohonk,  &  So  up  by  Ouonetticut  river  to  the  little  meadow  called 
Capawonk,  namely,  to  the  little  brook  or  Gutter  on  this  Side  Capawonk,  which 
little  brook  is  called  Masquampe,  and  the  Grounds  lying  Westward  from  Con- 
necticut river  (within  the  Compass  Aforenamed)  for  nine  Miles  out  into  the 
Woods,  viz.:  as  far  as  Manshoonish  is  from  Springfield, — for  So  it  was  expressed 
to  the  Indians, — all  that  Tract  of  Grounds  from  Sankronk  riveret,  &:  Ouonack- 
quck  called  Munham,  Poihnack,  Petowwag,  Aspowounk,  Luckcommuck,  Assat- 
tavvagg,  Nayyagg,  Nayyvumkegg,  Masqump,&  by  whatsoever  other  names  the  Said 
Grounds  are  called,  &  all  out  into  the  woods  from  the  great  river  for  9  Miles 
within  this  compass,  The  aforesaid  Indians,  &  in  Particular  Wawhollowa, 
Nenessahalant,  &  Nassachohee,  being  the  Sachems  of  Nonotuck,  do  for  them- 
selves, &  with  the  Consent  of  the  other  Indians  and  owners  of  the  said  Grounds, 
Sell,  Give,  and  Grant  unto  John  Pynchon,  of  Springfield,  &  to  his  Assigns  for 
&  in  the  Consideration  of  One  hundred  fathom  of  Wampam  by  Tale  &  for  Ten 
Coats  (beside  Some  Small  Gifts)  in  hand  paid  to  the  said  Sachems  &  owners. 
all  the  land  aforesaid  as  *  these  presents  have  bargained,  Granted 
&  Sold  to  the  said  *  Pynchon  all  &  Singular  the  Said  lands  free  from  all  Incum- 
brances of  Indians,  provided  the  Said  Pynchon  Shall  plow  up  or  cause  to  be 
plowed  up  for  the  said  Indians  Sixteen  acres  of  land  on  the  Easterly  side  of  Quo- 
netticut  river,  which  is  to  be  done  Sometime  next  Summer,  1654;  And  in  the 
mean  time,  viz.,  the  next  Spring  1654,  The  Indians  have  liberty  to  plant  their 
present  Cornfields,  but  after  that  time  they  are  wholly  to  leave  that  west  Side  of 
the  river,  &  not  to  plant  or  molest  the  English  there. 

"  All  the  Said  Premises  the  Said  Pynchon  &  his  Assigns  Shall  have  &  enjoy 
Absolutely  &  clearly  forever,  all  Incumbrances  from  any  Indians  or  *  their  Corn- 
fields. In  Witness  of  this  presents  the  said  Indians  have  Subscribed  their  marks 
this  twenty-fourth  day  of  September,  1653." 

THE    MARKS    OF   THE    INDIANS. 


/v\yvo 


> 


PAQUAHALE.NT.  N'EN  ASSAM  A  LENT.  CHICK  WALLOP.  NASSICOHEE.  SKITTOMP 


Note. — This  deed  was  witnessed  by  four  white  men  and  three  Indians.     The   Indians 
were  Wutchamin,  Nammeleck,  and  Skittomp,  alias  Unquask,  of  Chicquabee. 
*  Omissions  in  deed. 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


MAP    SHOWING    LANDOWNERS    IN    FLORENCE   TERRITORY — 1 754 


Note. — This  shows  the  three  principal  highways,  the  "  North,"  "  South,"  and  middle 
roads,  the  latter  called  "  Isaac's  Way."  The  two  vertical  lines  divided  "  Inner  Commons  " 
from  "Long  Division."  The  lots  in  Long  Division  were  numbered  in  regular  order  from  the 
Hatfield  town  line  through  to  Easthampton.  A  space  for  a  highway  was  left  between  lots 
Nos.  33  and  34,  and  for  another  road  near  the  bridge  between  lots  Nos.  40  and  41.  By  care- 
ful search  one  can  find  the  three  plains,  Hear  Hill,  Broughton's  Meadow,  and  Millstone 
Mountain,  as  well  as  other  points  of  interest. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


21 


Was  this  an  unbroken  wilderness  when  the  pioneers  came  to  North- 
ampton ?  Did  an  immense  forest  cover  all  this  vicinity  where  now  stand 
beautiful  villages,  towns,  and  cities?  No,  not  by  any  means.  Each 
autumn  the  Indians  burnt  over  all  the  country.  This  destroyed  the 
brushwood,  scorched  the  older  trees,  and  kept  the  country  open  for  travel 
and  hunting  ;  so  when  the  settlers  came  they  found  the  meadows  gener- 
ally free  from  trees  and  brush,  and  grass  and  fodder  growing  on  the  hill- 
side. Good  timber  was  scarce  ;  the  wet  lowlands  alone  were  heavily 
wooded,  and  here  game  abounded. 

The  petitioners  voted  that  "every  singell  man"  shall  have  "  foare 
acres"  and  "every  head  of  a  phamily  six  acres  of  meadow."  Besides 
this,  each  settler  was  granted  a  home- 
lot,  generally  of  four  acres.  Judd 
quotes  this  as  the  rule  by  which  the 
lands  were  divided:  "Fifteen  acres 
to  the  head  of  a  family,  three  acres  to 
a  son,  twenty  acres  to  a  one  hundred 
pound  estate."  When  meadow  land 
proved  swampy,  a  larger  tract  of  up- 
land was  granted  in  its  stead,  as  the 
latter  was  not  considered  so  valuable. 
But  the  meadow  land  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  town  did  not  hold  out,  so 
they  came  westward  to  Broughton's  m 
Meadow,  and  to  other  land  lying  up 
the  Mill  River. 

All  the  land  not  divided  was  held  "in  common,"  each  individual  hav- 
ing certain  rights  in  this  unoccupied  territory.  Later,  portions  of  "the 
commons  "  were  divided  among  individuals.  At  one  time  the  township 
was  divided  into  two  principal  parts  :  one,  of  the  land  on  the  eastern 
boundary,  including  most  of  the  territory  within  the  present  village  of 
Florence,  which  was  called  "  Inner  Commons"  ;  the  other,  laid  out  at  a 
later  date,  took  in  all  the  western  portion  of  the  township,  and  was  called 
"Long  Division."  Other  sections  were  named  "Old  Hatefield,"  "Love- 
field,"  "  Little "  and  "  Mountain  "  divisions.  On  some  Northampton 
maps  these  ancient  divisions  are  still  to  be  seen. 


WHEN    WE    WERE    HOYS. 


CHAPTER    III. 


->l<- 


NEAR    LOCUST    GROVE. 


FROM   1654  TO  FIRST  SETTLEMENT. 

The  First  Visit  of  the  English  to  Florence  Territory,  and  the  First  Owners 
of  Land  there.  —  The  First  Enterprise  in  Florence.  The  Sawmill  of 
Lyman  Brothers,  Wright  &  Parsons. —  The  One  Acre  Grant  to  Parsons, 
and  its  Contribution  to  the  Early  History  of  the  Place. — The  Hulberts. 

The  exact  date  when  the  English  first  visited  Florence  is  not  recorded. 
Inside  of  ilire_e  years  after  Northampton  was  settled,  it  is  known  that  the 
site  of  the  village  had  been  visited,  not  by  explorers  alone,  but   by  those 

officially  appointed  to 
divide  the  lands  in 
this  vicinity.  The  first 
grant  of  land  that  we 
have  been  able  to  find 
and  locate  with  any 
degree  of  certainty, 
now  within  Florence 
territory,  was  made 
to  John  Broughton, 
formerly  of  Spring- 
field, one  of  the  first 
settlers  at  Northampton.  The  utmost  difficulty  is  experienced  in  locat- 
ing these  first  grants  of  land,  since  the  authorities  did  not  take  pains 
to  describe  them  so  that  later  generations  could  easily  locate  them. 
John  Broughton's  grant  was  favored  in  this  particular,  so  to-day  we 
place  him  as  one  of  the  first  owners  of  land  in  Florence.  Below  is  the 
item  appearing  in  the  Proprietors'  book  :  — 

"  The  Record  of  John  Brotton's  Land  which  was  granted  to  him  by  the  Towne 
of  Northampton  and  to  his  heirs,  executrs  and  assigns  to  have  and  to  hold  forever, 
taken  December  12,  1657.     [Several  pieces  of  land  including] 

"another  prcell  of  Land  which  Lieth  up  the  Mill  River  wch  is  thus  bounded  : 
Bordering  on  the  Mill  River  Westely  and  on  the  Commons  or  hill  wch  com- 
passeth  it  like  an  elbow  Eastely  and  Southely  Bounded  on  the  Northely  end  on 
the  Land  of  Lieut.  William  Clark,  being  in  estimation  five  acres  in  lieue  of  four 
in  the  meadow — five  acres  more  or  less." 

The  two  clauses  that  aided  in  locating  this  grant  were  "  Lieth  up  the 
Mill  River,"  and  bordering  on  "  the  Commons  or  hill  which  compasseth 
it  like  an  elbow."  The  location  of  this  grant  is  on  the  easterly  side  of 
Mill  River,  in  Ross's  Meadow,  north  of  Meadow  street  and  west  of  Lilly 
street,  directly  in  the  rear  of  the  house  long  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr. 


FROM    1654    TO    FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 


Dwight  A.  Ross.  The  line  dividing  the  two  sections  of  land  known  as 
"Inner  Commons"  and  "Long  Division"  at  one  time  ran  along  the  top 
of  the  high  bank  just  west  of  Lilly  street.  By  examining  the  spot  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  hill  "  compasseth  it  like  an  elbow,"  true  to  the  descrip- 
tion. "  The  meadow  "  in  the  clause  "  in  lieue  of  four  in  the  meadow" 
no  doubt  refers  to  the  great  meadow  in  Northampton,  as  when  no  special 
name  was  mentioned  this  one  was  always  understood. 

Other  grants  in  this  vicinity  followed  in  quick  succession  and  in  less 
than  a  year  fully  a  dozen  owned  land 
in  the  meadows.  Since  Broughton 
was  one  of  the  first  to  own  land  there, 
the  meadow  took  his  name.  He  sold 
his  grant  in  1675  to  Joseph  Parsons, 
and  in  a  few  years  nearly  an  entirely 
new  set  of  proprietors  came  into  pos- 
session. 

To  keep  the  cattle  within  the  proper 
bounds  the  settlers  had  to  fence  por- 
tions of  "  the  Commons,"  and  each 
man  had  to  build  and  keep  in  repair 
"  his  proportion,"  as  determined  by 
the  amount  of  land  he  owned.  Owing 
to  the  transfers  of  land  from  one  to 
another,  it  was  necessary  every  few 
years  to  draw  up  a  new  schedule  of 
each  man's  "proportion."  Those  who 
did  not  want  the  trouble  of  looking 
after  their  "proportion"  would  "alien- 
ate "  so  many  rods  to  some  other 
settler  by  paying  him  a  consideration. 

Each  section  perfected  an  organ- 
ization to  keep  the  fence  in  repair, 
and  as  early  as  1663  the  landowners 
in  the  Broughton's  Meadow  had 
already  organized,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  order  passed  at  a  town 
meeting  held  that  year  :  "  It  was  voted  that  the  Proprietors  of  the 
Meadow  commonly  called  Broughton's  meadow,  that  they  shall  have 
liberty  to  set  their  fence  Streight  on  the  bank  on  the  Common  land." 

Another  interesting  grant  was  Edward  Baker's  allotment  of  a  piece 
of  meadow  land  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town.  (See  first  chap- 
ter.) 

Other   owners   of    land    on    either  side  of   the    river   at   Broughton's 


The  quiet  of  the  fields  and  woods 
Sank  deep  into  his  soul." — Whitlier. 


24 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Meadow  included  Thomas  Bascom,  Josiah  Dewey,  Henry  Woodward, 
James  Cornish,  William  Clark,  Joseph  Leeds,  Jonathan  Hunt,  and  Medad 
Pomeroy.  In  1673  Joshua  Pomeroy  had  a  grant  of  six  acres  of  "  swamp 
and  upland."  The  upland  must  have  been  on  North  Main  street,  near 
the  present  residence  of  Mr.  E.  C.  Davis,  and  the  records  say  it  was 
given  Pomeroy  "  to  build  upon."  Evidently  he  did  not  consider  the 
locality  a  favorable  one  for  settlement,  for  no  house  was  built  here. 
Joseph  Hawley  bought  the  land  of  Pomeroy  in  1684,  "  in  all  some  twelve 
or  sixteen  acres."  The  original  grant  called  it  six  acres.  The  early 
measurements  were  frequently  faulty  ;  the  true  acreage  is  often  two  or 
three  times  as  much  as  the  first  grant  called  for.  Thus  Baker's  Meadow, 
laid  out  for  nine  acres,  in  reality  contains  nearly  twentv-seven. 


RAILROAD    STATION. 


THE    FIRST    ENTERPRISE. 

No  new  plantation  could  long  be  without  those  indispensable  adjuncts 
of    any  community— a    sawmill   and    a  gristmill,    or,   as    the  latter  was 

always  called  in  the 
days  of  our  fore- 
fathers, a  "corn-mill." 
Very  soon  after  a 
town  had  been 
planted  some  enter- 
prising man  asked 
permission  in  town 
meeting  to  establish 
these  industries,  and 
as  early  as  1657  Northampton  had  a  gristmill,  and  by  167 1  a  sawmill  had 
begun  its  work. 

Nearly  three  miles  westward  from  the  center,  Mill  River  flowed 
through  Broughton's  Meadow,  and  a  natural  fall  might  then  be  seen 
where  now  the  dam  of  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Company  stems  the  stream. 
The  early  inhabitants  of  Northampton  were  not  slow  in  deciding  that 
here  was  an  excellent  opportunity  to  develop  a  water  power,  and  no  doubt 
they  foresaw  that  some  day  mills  would  stand  on  either  bank,  and  the 
busy  whir  of  machinery  would  drown  the  noise  of  the  waters  tumbling- 
over  the  rocks  near  by. 

Five  years  after  the  close  of  Philip's  war  the  times  appeared  favor- 
able for  a  new  undertaking,  and  at  a  town  meeting  held  on  the  second 
of  January,  1681,  four  men  asked  permission  to  erect  another  sawmill  in 
town.  This  permission  was  granted,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  following 
order  copied  from  the  Town  Records,  Book  I.,  page  55: — 


FROM    1654   TO    FIRST   SETTLEMENT. 


25 


"  [an.  2.  [68i . 

"  On  a  Motion  of  Richard  and  Thomas  Lyman,  Samuel  Wright  and  Samuel 
Parsons  to  have  a  place  and  liberty  to  set  up  a  Sawmill,  the  Town  the  day  first 
above  written  granted  their  request  on  Consideration 

••  1st.     That  they  Set  it  up  within  one  Twelvemonth  after  the  date  hereof 

••  2nd.  provided  it  be  no  damage  to  the  Corn  Mill  which  stands  on  the  Same 
Stream 

"  3rd.  That  when  they  desert  the  place  as  to  the  use  abovesaid,  then  the 
place  to  return  to  the  Town  again 

'•  The  place  they  desired  is  above  Broughton's  Meadow  on  the  Mill  river." 

This  is  the  way  the  first  enterprise  in  Florence  had  its  beginning. 
But  the  careful  reader  has  already  found  that  the  grant  does  not  con- 
form with  the  previous  conditions  set  forth  in  the  narrative.  Instead  of 
having  liberty  to  build  a  sawmill  near  the  present  Nonotuck  dam,  the 
order  reads,  "  the  place  they  desired  is  above  Broughton's  Meadow." 
There  are  two  ways  to  account  for  this.  One  is  that  during  the  discus- 
sion   regarding   the   location   of    the   mill,    both   "above"  and   "below" 


NONUTl'i'K    SILK    COMPANY  S    DAM. 


Broughton's  Meadow  were  mentioned,  and  that  the  scribe  in  recording 
the  vote  made  the  mistake  and  substituted  "  above  "  for  "below."  But 
as  this  is  hardly  probable,  let  us  look  for  another  explanation.  In  examin- 
ing Mill  River  to  find  a  suitable  place  for  their  mill,  this  Lyman,  Wright, 
and  Parsons  combination  could  not  discover  "  above "  Broughton's 
Meadow   a  site  adapted   to   their  needs,  and    so    they  chose   a  spot   near 


26 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


the  present  dam.  It  is  certain  that  they  built  no  mill  "above"  Brough- 
ton's  Meadow,  and  though  only  a  few  slender  data  have  been  left  from 
which  to  draw  an  inference,  it  is  safe  to  conclude  that  they  fulfilled  the 
conditions  of  the  grant  and  erected  the  mill  within  a  "  twelvemonth." 
It  evidently  stood  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  the  spot  now  marked 
by  two  small  trees  near  the  end  of  the  Nonotuck  dam. 

The  next  record  concerning  this  first  enterprise  in  Florence  is  in  the 
year  1700,  when  the  following  item  was  entered  in  the  town  book  : — 

"  At  a  legal  Town  meeting,  February  6,  1700, 

"  The  Town  did  then  grant  to  Samuel  Parsons  one  acre  of  land  near  his  Saw- 
mill between  Broughton's  and  Baker's  meadow  to  be  to  him  and  his  Heirs  for- 
ever." 


LILLY    STREET. 


This  grant  of  land,  unimportant  in  itself,  furnishes  us  with  the  con- 
necting link,  and  shows  us,  first,  that  undoubtedly  Lyman  Brothers, 
Wright,  and  Parsons  erected  their  mill  below  Broughton's  and  above 
Baker's  Meadow,  and  therefore  it  must  have  been  in  Florence  near  the 
present  dam  ;  second,  that  in  1700  this  mill  was  still  standing,  and  at  some 
previous  time  three  of  the  first  owners  had  sold  their  interest  to  Samuel 
Parsons,  as  the  grant  distinctly  states  "his  mill."  Mr.  Parsons  was  the 
son  of  Joseph  Parsons,  1st,  sometimes  called  Cornet,  who  was  a  leader 
in  the  affairs  of  the  town. 

No  one  knows  how  long  Samuel  Parsons  continued  to  own  and 
operate  the  sawmill.  During  the  opening  years  of  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury the   Northampton   records  contain  grants  of  land  in  Florence  terri- 


FROM    1654   TO    FIRST   SETTLEMENT. 


27 

teu- 


ton-, "on  the  road  as  we  go  to  the  Saw-Mill,"  "  near  the  mill,"  etc. 
ing  us  it  was  still  in  use. 

Samuel  Parsons  moved  to  Durham,  Connecticut,  in  1708-9,  and  it  is 
not  known  whether  he  sold  the  mill  before  he  went  away,  or  not.  The 
next  item  that  enables  us  to  take  up  the  lost  thread  is  found  near  the 
close  of  the  year  1726,  when  John  Stoddard  purchases  two  pieces  of  land 
of  the  town,  one  of  which  in  the  words  of  the  scribe  :  "  Lyeth  cheifly  in 
a  Swamp  on  the  Westerly  side  of  Mr.  Stoddard's  land,  near  Hulberfs  Saw- 
mill." Soon  after  1700  John  Hulbert  owned  land  in  this  vicinity,  and 
probably  he  bought  the  sawmill  soon  after  Parsons  left  town,  for  if  but 
recently  purchased  this  fact  would  have  been  mentioned  in  Stoddard's 
sale. 

Information  regarding  the  Hulbert  family  in  Northampton  is 
extremely  scanty.  William  Hulbert,  one  of  the  first  settlers  at  North- 
ampton, left  several  children,  and  at  least 
three  grandsons  made  Northampton  their 
home.  Careful  search  has  failed  to  bring  to 
light  any  facts  concerning  their  residence  here, 
but  the  following  inferences  may  be  of  inter- 
est. By  the  Stoddard  item  already  quoted 
we  know  the  Hulberts  owned  the  mill  in  1726. 
Whether  John  was  alone,  or  in  company  with 
his  brothers,  James  and  Samuel,  or  whether 
others  of  that  family,  sons  of  these  mentioned, 
continued  the  business  is  not  known.  In  1733 
the  town  "  voted  to  build  a  bridge*  over 
Mill  river  above  Hulbert's  Sawmill."  In  1743 
the  town  marked  off  a  tract  of  land  in  the  western  part  of  the  township, 
"  Between  which  lines  they  "  [all  the  inhabitants]  "  propose  to  cut  wood 
and  timber  for  the  Space  of  ten  years  next  coming."  One  of  the  bound- 
ary lines  ran  "  from  the  front  of  Long  Division  at  the  Bridge  by  Hul- 
bert's Sawmill  westerly  three-fourths  of  a  mile."  On  the  map  of  1754, 
"  Hulbert's  Sawmill  "  is  again  mentioned.  It  seems  probable  that  some 
one  of  the  family  owned  and  operated  the  mill  up  to  about  this  time. 

Four  years  later,  in  1 760-1 761,  the  property  had  passed  into  the 
hands  of  several  individuals,  each  owning  from  one  tenth  to  one  fifth. 
Of  the  six  owners  five  were  Clarks.  In  1768  nearly  the  same  proprie- 
tors appear.  The  mill  was  not  considered  a  very  great  acquisition, 
for  the  valuation  in  1760  is  quoted  at  only  ^10,  in  1762  at  ,£18,  in  176S 
at  ,£20,  and  in  1769  at  jQ\o  again.  After  1769  the  thread  is  again  lost,  and 


HULBERT   COAT   OF   ARMS. 


*This  was  the  first  bridge  across  Mill  River  in  Florence. 


2g  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

it  does  not  reappear  till  the  dawn  of  a  new  century.  From  1726  (possibly 
before)  to  as  late  as  181 1  this  sawmill  was  "called  and  well  known  by 
the  name  of  Hulbert's  Mill."  When  we  again  resume  its  history  it  will 
be  in  connection  with  that  interesting  character— the  oil-maker — Josiah 
White.  For  the  present  we  will  turn  our  attention  to  a  few  pioneer 
families  and  watch  them  as  they  make  their  homes  in  the  outlying  dis- 
trict, which  afterwards  became  Florence. 


(*si&  <*K  <%>/*.%  j.   M-n*  j£y,  fL/Jib    /yCa:    <?*»"<.    '  J&'yi  k«««^!i3M^5 
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&,?  ?~^.<t  --.y,^,  £ '••'•£ 


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r/>-^>  Yf~ 


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„&G~~y   4fyflJ~-:   frJc^atct    /»<■■  -.-/-flu.   pJ    fc^(ff~**-t?X    &~~~~*   X    /w 

Urrh.    A*.,    <iy-Oi   >W    »£   o^re      ^     JefJfai' &;/■{.    A.    t,.y    <t#i.,    i/l^^  _?J<-    ///<   O-^-- £~ 


\p*Htf**r- 


ANCIENT    DEED — MARK    WARNER   TO    HIS    SON. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

FIRST  SETTLEMENT. 

The  French  and  Indian  Wars  Hindered  the  Settlement  of  Outlying  Dis- 
tricts.— The  Settlement  Begun. — The  First  House  Built.— Daniel  Warner 
the  Second  Settler. — Story  ok  the  Phelps  House. — Gaius  Burt  Comes  in 
1798. — Josiah  White  and  His  Oil  Mill — First  House  in  the  Center  of  the 
Village,  1S09. 

Following  closely  upon  the  heels  of  the  planters  of  Northampton, 
five  years  after  1654,  men  from  Wethersfield  founded  Hadley  ;  Deerfield 
was  founded  in  1669,  and  Northfield  two  years  later.  Soon  the  French 
and  Indian  wars  began,  and  not  until  the  conquest  of  Canada  in  1760 
did  the  settlers  really  know  what  the  word  "  peace"  meant. 

Notwithstanding  the  almost  constant  warfare,  towns  had  been  planted 
in  nearly  every  part  of  Massachusetts.  However,  the  times  had  not  been 
favorable  to  the  settlement  of  outlying  districts.  During  the  French  and 
Indian  wars,  the  settlers  who  had  come  to  Northampton,  and  the  sons  of 
the  original  families,  in  erecting  their  houses  sought  the  protection  and 
security  which  the  center  of  the  town  afforded. 

But  there  were  some  in  Northampton  who  were  not  content  to  remain 
near  the  center.  A  few  years  after  1664  John  Webb  had  a  house  in  East- 
hampton,  arud_Hie_Lymans  moved  to  South  Farms  (Smith's  Ferry)  about 
1689.  In  1700  there  were  five  families  at  Pascommac  (part  of  Easthamp- 
ton),  and  in  1704  the  Indians  raided  their  little  settlement,  with  sad 
results.  Other  parts  of  Easthampton  were  settled  soon  after.  Before 
the  last  French  and  Indian  war  (1753-1763),  Noah  Bridgman  and  Mark 
Warner  had  settled  on  Horse  Mountain  (North  Farms),  "but,"  as  Judd 
says,  "  probably  removed  into  the  village  during  the  war." 

The  first  man  to  erect  a  permanent  dwelling  house  in  Florence  seems 
to  have  been  Joseph  Warner.  This  was  in  1778.  The  Revolution  was 
then  in  progress,  and  the  times  could  not  have  been  auspicious  for  estab- 
lishing a  home  three  miles  from  the  center  of  the  town. 

Joseph  Warner,  the  first  of  several  by  that  name,  was  the  fifth  in 
descent  from  William  Warner,  who  came  from  England  in  1637  and 
settled  in  Ipswich.  The  branch  of  the  Warners  from  which  Joseph 
descended,  had  previously  lived  in  Brookfield,  Hadley,  and  Northamp- 
ton. His  grandfather,  Mark  Warner,  2d,  born  in  Hadley,  1678,  had 
lived  in  Northampton  on  a  farm  in  a  locality  called  "  Blackpole."  This 
was  north  of  the  western  end  of  Prospect  street,  and  west  of  the  town 
poor  farm. 


3° 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Daniel  Warner,  Joseph's  father,  born  in  17  i  7,  married  1745,  lived  near 
his  father  at  Blackpole.  It  is  sometimes  the  duty  of  the  historian  to  be 
at  variance  with  tradition,  as  it  is  in  this  case.  The  story,  as  handed 
down  from  father  to  son,  is  the  same  as  all  published  accounts  up  to  this 
time,  namely,  that  Daniel  Warner  was  the  first  to  remove  permanently 
to  Florence,  and  that  the  date  was  about  1759.  But  diligent  search  in 
the  Judcj  manuscript  has  revealed  the  fact  that  Daniel  Warner  was  at 
Blackpole  in  1763  (four  years  after  he  was  said  to  have  come  to 
Florence)  and  in  1767  was  still  residing  there.  Then  in  another  place 
we  learn  that  "  Joseph  Warner  built  his  house  in  1778."  As  Judd  wrote 
this  while  Mr.  Warner  was  living  (1835)  it  is  no  doubt  correct. 

Joseph  Warner  was  then  a  young  man  of  twenty-six  years.  The  next 
year,  1779,  he  married  Jerusha  Edwards  and  they  began  housekeeping  at 
the  new  home  near  "  Bear  Hill,"  which  was  then  a  rather  desolate  locality. 
For  many  years  their  house  was  the  only  one  between  Blackpole  and 
Williamsburg.  Later  they  had  "  neighbors  "  in  Haydenville.  This  first 
house  stood  on  the  site  of  Mr.  John  F.  Warner's  residence  on  North 
Main  street.  Although  the  time  of  log  cabins  had  gone  by,  as  sawed 
boards  were  then  in  common  use,  this  house  must  have  been  a  primitive 
structure  as  compared  to  our  modern  ones.  At  this  time  few  could 
afford  the  luxury  of  lathed  and  plastered  walls.  The  immense  chimney 
furnished  fireplaces  for  the  rooms  on  the  four  sides  of  it,  and  these  dis- 
pensed comfort  and  good  cheer  to  all  who  gathered  around  them. 

The   father   in  this   house- 
hold  was   well   known   in   the 
community  not  only  as  a  man 
of  intelligence  and  good  judg- 
ment, and  of  strict    integrity 
in   all   his   relations    with    his 
fellow    men,  but  as   a  devout 
and    conscientious    Christian. 
The  mother,  too,  was  an  emi- 
nently godly  woman.     Joseph 
Warner    lived     to    be    eighty- 
four.      He  died  April  15,  1836, 
younger  than  the  three   preceding  ancestors,  who  had  reached   the   ages 
of  eighty-seven,  eighty-nine,  and  ninety,  respectively.     Mrs.  Warner  died 
in  1833,  aged  seventy-four. 

The  children  of  Joseph  Warner  were  eleven  in  number.  Oliver,  Solo- 
mon, Flecta,  Jerusha,  Sarah,  Joseph,  Seth,  Moses,  Miriam,  Aaron,  and 
John  were  the  good  old-fashioned  names  by  which  they  were  known. 
The  three  oldest  sons,  Oliver,  Solomon,  and   Joseph,  remained   in   Flor- 


RESIDKNCK   OF    JOHN    F.    WARNER. 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT, 


31 


THE    OLD    WARNER    HOMESTEAD. 


«nce,  and  from  this  fact  the  locality  took  the  name  of  the  "Warner 
School  District."  Oliver  and  Solomon,  early  in  this  century,  built  tav- 
erns, one  in  Florence  center,  and  the  other  towards  Leeds.  The  third 
son,  Joseph  Warner,  2d,  married  in  1S14,  and  made  his  home  with  his 
father  on  the  old  homestead.  He  worked  on  the  farm,  which  now  con- 
tained three  hundred  acres,  and  when  his  father  became  advanced  in 
years  took  the  burden 
of  directing  affairs  from 
the  old  man's  shoul- 
ders. He  was  select- 
man several  years,  and 
represented  the  town 
in  the  General  Court. 
His  death  in  1840  was 
only  four  years  after  his 
father  had  passed  away. 
His  wife  survived  him 
twenty-eight  years. 
They  had  six  children. 
The  oldest  son,  Joseph, 
was  the  silk  manufac- 
turer.    The  youngest  child,  John  Flavel  Warner,  remains  on  the  farm. 

The  old  homestead,  which,  with  the  additions  and  the  sheds,  covered 
considerable  ground,  was  replaced  in  1868  by  the  present  modern  struc- 
ture. A  part  of  the  old  place  was  moved  to  the  corner  of  Bridge  road 
and  Oak  street,  and  in  its  remodeled  form  may  still  be  seen  there. 

The  Second  Settler. — Daniel  Warner  did  not  remain  long  at  Black- 
pole  after  his  son  Joseph  had  gone  to  his  new  home  in  Florence.  Prob- 
ably not  more  than  a  year  or  two  elapsed  before  he  was  snugly  settled  in 
the  small  house  which  he  built  on  a  ridge  about  ten  rods  west  of  his  son 
Joseph's  house.  For  many  years  previous  to  the  time  when  Joseph  built 
his  house  (1778),  Daniel  had  owned  considerable  land  on  Broughton's 
Meadow  and  on  the  plain  near  Bear  Hill.  In  order  to  cultivate  this  farm 
he  had  had  one  or  two  log  cabins  there  long  before  1778.  One  of 
these  stood  about  fifty  rods  south  of  the  highway,  nearly  at  the  point  of 
a  V-shaped  piece  of  land  running  back  from  Mr.  J.  F.  Warner's  tobacco 
barn.  Here  Mr.  Warner  sometimes  lived  during  the  summer  when  the 
crops  required  his  constant  attention.  As  early  as  the  French  and  Indian 
wars  (1744-48)  (1753-63)  he  used  to  work  out  in  the  meadows,  always 
carrying  his  gun  to  rely  upon  in  case  of  emergency.  It  is  recorded  (not 
tradition)  that  once  he  had  a  very  remarkable  escape  from  death  at  the 
hands  of  the  Indians,  at  a  spot  a  "little  below  Broughton's  Meadow."' 


32 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


GATE   TO   THE    PASTURE — WARNER    FARM. 


Unfortunately  Judd,  the  recorder,  failed  to  give  the  details  of  this  inter- 
esting experience,  which  he  no  doubt  could  have  obtained. 

Fire  destroyed  Daniel  Warner's  house  in  1790.  He  was  an  old  man 
then  (born  1 7 1 7)  and,  instead  of  rebuilding,  an  addition  was  made  to  his 
son's  house,  and  in  this  he  spent  his  declining  years.  He  died  in  1804. 
His  wife  survived  him  nine  years,  reaching  her  ninety-second  year. 

Here  is  an  anecdote  of 
Daniel  Warner's  wife  :  Her 
maiden  name  was  Jemima 
Wright,  born  1722.  For  some 
years  before  her  marriage 
(1746)  she  lived  in  Col.  Tim- 
othy Dvvight's  family.  She 
used  to  tell  her  grandchildren 
that  the  first  tea  in  Northamp- 
ton was  sent  up  to  Colonel 
Dwight  by  a  friend  in  Boston. 
It  was  not  called  tea,  but 
simply  "  Bohea."  Instead  of 
using  a  small  quantity  they  steeped  it  just  as  they  would  an  herb,  all  at 
once,  a  quarter  of  a  pound  or  more,  and  in  consequence  it  was  so  strong 
that  they  could  not  drink  it. 

The  Phelps  House. — Until  about  1785  there  was  a  third  house  in  Flor- 
ence, but  it  appears  to  have  had  no  occupant.  The  interesting  account 
of  how  it  came  to  be  here  is  given  as  we  find  it  in  Judd's  manuscript  :  — 

"William  Phelps'  place  at  Blackpole  was  narrow  in  front,  eight  or  ten  rods, 
and  went  back  in  the  rear  of  Warner's  lot.  It  was  for  a  time  owned  by  S.  Stod- 
dard, and  he  sold  it  to  Daniel  Warner,  who  owned  land  north  of  it.     *     * 

"  The  old  Phelps  house  was  two  story,  and  Moses  Bartlett  was  to  have  it  to 
live  in  out  at  Stoddard's  Meadow.*  While  Stoddard  owned  the  Phelps  lot,  he 
had  the  house  removed  with  some  difficulty.  It  was  removed  by  the  North  roadt 
(other  too  narrow),  and  then  across  below  the  Oil  Mill  to  the  meadow,  some  dis- 
tance below  the  upper  end  of  the  meadow.  The  woods  were  cut  away  to  make  a 
path  for  it,  and  it  was  left  on  the  flat  above  the  meadow.  Bartlett  changed  his 
mind,  his  affairs  and  Mr.  Stoddard's  changed,  and  nothing  more  was  done  to  the 
house.     It  rotted  down  there.     This  was  about  1785." 

The  Daniel  Warner  referred  to  was  a  son  of  Daniel  who  came  to  Flor- 
ence.    This  Solomon  Stoddard  was  the  distinguished  son  of  the  popular 
preacher  of  the  same  name,  who  was  the  second  minister  at  Northampton. 
Can  you  not  see  that  two-story  house  creeping  along  Bridge  road  on 


*  See  Chapter  I.  for  "  Stoddard's  Meadow." 
t  See  Early  Roads  and  Bridges,  Chapter  VI. 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 


33 


its  way  to  Florence  ?  Then  appliances  for  moving  buildings  were  not  as 
complete  as  they  are  now,  and  the  task  must  have  been  a  slow  and 
tedious  one.  But  if  this  was  the  case  on  the  plain  highway,  what  must 
it  have  been  when  the  woods  had  to  be  cut  away  "  to  make  a  path  "  for 
the  house  !  No  one  knows  the  spot  where  it  linally  rested,  only  to  crum- 
ble to  pieces  at  last.  From  the  description  it  would  seem  to  have  been 
between  Nonotuck  street  and  River  road.  This  would  be  called  the 
"flat  above  the  meadow."  Why  did  Moses  Bartlett  want  any  house, 
and  this  one  in  particular,  on  Stoddard's  Meadow  ?  In  this  case  "time 
will  tell," — never. 

Settlement  by  Gaius  Burt,  1798. — For  twenty  years  Daniel  and 
Joseph  Warner  were  the  only  residents  in  this  part  of  Northampton. 
Then  Gaius  Burt 
moved  to  Brough- 
ton's  Meadow,  and 
the  settlers  num- 
bered three.  He  was 
an  energetic,  indus- 
trious man,  of  the 
resolute,  hard  work- 
ing type.  He  had 
descended  from  Da- 
vid Burt,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  at 
Northampton.  His 
father,  Elkanah,  lived 
in   the  center  of  the 

town,  where  Gaius  was  born  in  1775.  Like  Joseph  Warner,  when  Gaius 
came  to  Florence  he  was  a  young  man  about  twenty-five  years  old,  and 
had  only  recently  been  married  to  Hannah  Alvord. 

On  March  14,  1798,  he  bought  of  Solomon  and  Luther  Clark,  thirty 
acres  of  land  in  the  meadow,  which  was  the  same  as  the  present  Ross 
farm  on  Meadow  street.  For  this  valuable  thirty  acres  of  alluvial  soil  he 
paid  the  very  moderate  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  dollars. 
It  is  probable  that  he  removed  soon  after,  and  erected  a  house*  a  few 
rods  east  of  the  present  Ross  homestead.  This  house  was  a  small  one- 
story,  unpainted  structure,  and  was  torn  down  about  1870.  In  1S01-3-5, 
Burt  added  forty-seven  acres  to  his  farm,  and  in  1809  purchased  the 
triangular  piece  of  land  opposite  his  house,  containing  twenty-five  acres. 
By  his  thrift  and  prudence  he  soon  acquired  considerable  property.     He 


A    NOVEMBER    DAY — THE    ROSS    HOMESTEAD. 


l8oi. 


The  late  Julius   Phelps,  born   1820,  said  that  as  far  as  he  knew  this  house  was  built  in 


34  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

had  two  sons  and  several  daughters.  The  oldest  son,  Theodore,  before 
1830  had  built  a  house  a  few  rods  west  of  his  father's,  the  present  Ross 
homestead.  The  other  son,  William,  married  one  of  Paul  Strong's  daugh- 
ters. In  1834,  Gaius  and  William  Burt  sold  their  Broughton  Meadow 
farm  to  Samuel  Whitmarsh.  Gains'  daughter  Frances  had  married  Mr. 
Ahira  Lyman,  who  lived  on  Park  Hill,  Easthampton  ;  so,  after  his  sons 
had  left  for  the  west,  Gaius  bought  a  fifty  acre  farm  just  south  of  the 
Lymans,  and  here  he  lived  till  his  death,  February  3,  1840,  aged  seventy- 
four. 

Josiah  White  and  His  Oil  Mill. — Conspicuous  among  the  early 
residents  of  Florence  stands  Josiah  White.  The  thread  of  the  sawmill 
history,  which  was  lost  in  the  year  1768,  is  next  brought  to  light  in 
connection  with  this,  interesting  man.  On  Christmas  day,  1800,  a  deed 
was  signed  by  "  Josiah  White,  of  Winchester,  New  Hampshire,  mill- 
wright," and  Solomon  Clark  of  Northampton.  This  document  set  forth 
that  for  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars  Clark  was  to  sell  White  three 
acres  of  land  "  on  the  east  side  of  the  Mill  River,  near  Hulbert's  Mill." 
Who  had  owned  Hulbert's  Mill  from  1762  to  1806  is  not  known.  In  the 
latter  year  "  Erastus  Clark,  Innkeeper,"  sold  two  thirds  of  the  mill  to 
Phinehas  Alvord  for  three  hundred  dollars.  This  first  industry  did  not 
then  consist  of  a  sawmill  alone,  for  in  the  deed  conveying  the  property  to 
Alvord,  Clark  wills  "  all  my  right  in  the  Auger  Mill  and  Lathe  at  aforesaid 
Saw  Mill."  It  seems  reasonable  that  a  house  was  built  here  before  1800, 
for  the  operators  of  the  sawmill.  In  1830  two  small  houses  stood  just 
west  of  the  Brush  Shop  bridge.  No  one  has  been  able  to  tell  and  no  record 
has  been  found  stating  when  or  by  whom  they  were  built,  but  that  one  of 
them  was  there  in  1806  is  probable,  as  shown  by  another  clause  from  the 
above  deed,  which  reads,  "Also  the  House  that  Elisha  Babcock  now  lives 
in,  together  with  all  the  Land  under  said  House  which  I  own."  This 
seems  to  have  been  the  fourth  house  in  Florence. 

The  ownership  of  Hulbert's  Mill  was  a  company  affair.  The  next 
year  Alvord  deals  out  small  portions  of  the  stock.  Jonathan  Newell 
invests  forty-five  dollars  in  "one  sixth"  ;  the  next  March  he  makes  his 
sixth  a  third,  but  pays  sixty  dollars  for  change.  About  this  time  the 
industrious  farmer  Gaius  Burt  buys  of  Alvord  a  "  sixth  part,"  with 
"  one  sixth  part  of  the  mill  yard,  dam  and  all  the  utensils."  Jonathan 
Newell  was  originally  from  South  Hadley,  and  was  an  "  oilmaker  "  by 
trade.  He  seems  to  have  been  the  one  who  first  interested  White  in  this 
business.  Although  White  bought  the  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  dam 
in  1800,  from  1803  till  1807  he  lived  in  Northampton,  running  in  company 
with  William  Edwards  what  they  called  the  "Upper  Mills."  After  sell- 
ing out  (1807)  his  interest  to  Edwards  it  is  probable  that  he  soon  came 


FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 


35 


to  Florence  and  began  the  erection  of  the  building  at  the  east  end  of  the 
Nonotuck  dam,  afterwards  used  for  the  oil  and  grist  mill.  As  Newell 
owned  a  controlling  interest  in  the  sawmill  on  the  opposite  bank, 
together  with  the  water  privilege,  he  was  probably  in  some  way  con- 
nected with  White's  new  venture. 

Four  years  later,  March  14,  181 1,  it  is  apparent  that  White  had 
become  a  full  fledged  oil  maker  and  that  the  enterprise  was  firmly  estab- 
lished, for  on  the  above  date  Newell,  who  by  this  time  had  returned  to 
South  Hadley,  sells  White  his  five  sixths  of  the  sawmill,  "  situated  in 
Northampton   by  the   Oil  Mill,  now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  aforesaid 


JOSIAH    WHITES    OIL    MILL. 
From  Painting  by  C.  C.  Burleigh,  Jr. 

White."     The   remaining  one  sixth  White  purchased  of  Joseph  Warner. 
The  valuation  is  quoted  as  $300.00  in  contrast  to  the  ^10  in  1769. 

At  that  period  it  was  customary  for  all  farmers  to  raise  flax.  From 
the  fibers  of  the  bark  of  this  plant  the  thrifty  housewives  made  the  home- 
spun linen  cloth,  so  useful  and  necessary  in  those  days.  No  doubt  Josiah 
White  did  a  considerable  business.  He  took  the  flaxseed  and  expressed 
the  linseed  oil,  the  seeds  being  first  bruised  or  crushed,  then  ground  and 
afterwards  subjected  to  great  pressure.  Henry  Shepherd,  Esq.,  remem- 
bers the  huge  hydraulic  press,  and  especially  the  massive  lever  connected 
with  it,  that  Mr.  White  used  in  obtaining  the  oil.  The  oil  mill  building 
stood  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  a  little  west  of  the  present  gate  house 
near  the  Nonotuck  dam.     It  was  a  two  story  building  about  twenty  by 


36  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

thirty  feet.  White  soon  saw  the  need  of  a  gristmill,  and  so  placed  a  run 
of  stones  in  the  same  building.  Mr.  John  F.  Warner  remembers  taking 
corn  to  this  mill  to  be  ground.  One  half  of  one  of  the  old  millstones 
forms  a  doorstep  to  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Company's  office  building.  The 
dam  was  then  some  thirty  or  thirty-five  feet  farther  up  the  stream.  An 
old  stump  stands  at  what  was  the  easterly  end. 

"  Esquire  "  Josiah  White  was  the  sole  proprietor  of  the  water  power, 
sawmill,  gristmill,  and  oil  mill.  He  lived  in  a  cozy  cottage  he  built  soon 
after  1S10,  between  the  present  Brush  shop  and  the  "  old  Silk  Mill  Board- 
ing house,"  nearly  opposite  the  large  buttonball  tree.  It  was  after- 
wards moved  to  Meadow  street,  where  it  was  enlarged  and  remodeled, 
and  is  now  the  second  house  west  of  Lilly  street. 

Josiah  White  was  an  original  character.  At  the  time  he  started  the 
oil  mill  he  had  just  passed  middle  life.  Of  a  somewhat  studious  mind, 
and  born  and  brought  up  when  books  were  scarce,  he  had  acquired  the 
habit  of  reading  everything  he  could  lay  his  hands  on.  White  was  a  self- 
made  man,  and  did  "all  his  own  thinking."  His  scholarly  turn  of  mind 
gave  him  the  nickname  of  "  Old  Cicero,"  by  which  he  was  commonly 
known.  He  was  an  ardent  Freemason.  When  King  Ferdinand  of  Spain 
hanged  Freemasons  because  they  would  not  divulge  their  secrets,  Mr. 
White  heard  of  it,  was  very  indignant,  and  vehemently  remarked  : 
"  Ferdinand  !  Ferdinand  !  he'll  find  that  thrones  totter  !  "  Mr.  White 
died  in  1832,  aged  seventy-four  years.     He  had  one  daughter. 

The  First  House  in  the  Center  of  the  Village. — Oliver  Warner, 
the  first  child  born  in  Florence,  in  1780,  was  the  son  of  Joseph,  the  first 
settler.  He  married  in  1807,  and  two  years  later  built  the  house  now 
standing  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  North  Maple  streets.  This  was  the 
fifth  house  in  this  district,  and  Mr.  Warner  kept  it  as  a  tavern.  About 
1790  stage  coaches  came  into  use  as  public  conveyances.  Northampton 
was  one  of  the  principal  stations  on  the  line  from  Boston  to  Albany.  The 
stages  stopped  at  Oliver  Warner's  to  water  the  horses,  and  allow  the 
passengers  to  sample  the  "  fire  water." 

In  182 1  he  sold  the  tavern,  moved  to  Northampton,  and  purchased 
Asahel  Pomeroy's  place,  which  became  famous  under  his  management 
as  the  "  Warner  House."  This  was  burned  in  1870.  Mr.  Warner  kept 
a  hotel  thirty-five  years  in  all.  He  enjoyed  a  wide  acquaintance  in  the 
country  and  state  ;  was  prominent  in  the  political  life  of  the  town  and 
county  ;  served  as  selectman,  representative,  and  senator.  He  was  a 
distinguished  man  in  his  day,  and  left  a  name  that  will  long  be  cherished 
by  his  townsmen.  He  died  in  1853.  He  had  nine  children.  Edward, 
born  1815,  still  resides  in  Northampton.  Oliver,  2d,  was  a  member  of 
both  branches  of  the  Legislature,  and  Secretary  of  State. 


CHAPTER    V. 


SETTLEMENT  CONTINUED. 

The  Tavern  of  Solomon  Warner — Captain  Julius  Phelps  Comes  in  1815. — 
Enoch  Jewett,  1816.— William  Warner,  1S17.— The  Seth  Warner  House. — 
Colonel  Thomas  Pomeroy,  1820.— 'I'm:  Dwight  Farm.— The  Oliver  Warner 
Tavern  in  the  Twenties. 

In  1812,  Solomon,  the  second  son  of  the  first  settler,  Joseph  Warner, 

left  the  old  homestead  and  built  a  house,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  northwest 

of  his   father's    on    the   road  to  Leeds. 

(     vT; "/,  '-  —       -    _-    -    ~~  Baal       This  is  near  the  limits  of  Florence  but 

— -  - 

was  a  part  of  the  old  "  Warner  School 

District."  He  kept  this  as  a  tavern  for 
nearly  forty  years,  or  until  the  rail- 
roads had  revolutionized  the  prevail- 
ing stage  coach  mode  of  travel. 
Solomon  Warner  died  in  1863.  His 
son  Moses  lived  on  the  old  place  until 
his  death  in  December,  1893.  The 
homestead,  the  accompanying  barns, 
the  rambling  sheds  and  shanties  pre- 
sent much  the  same  appearance  to- 
day as  they  did  fifty  years  ago. 

Captain  Julius  Phelps. — With 
one  or  two  exceptions  the  early  settle- 
ment of  Florence  was  by  men  from 
Northampton.  They  were  sober,  in- 
dustrious men,  faithful  in  the  perform- 
ance of  each  duty,  and  impressed  with  the  importance  of  strict  integrity. 
Captain  Julius  Phelps  was  such  a  man.  Thick  set,  a  little  over  medium 
height,  and  brown  from  exposure  to  the  elements,  he  presented  the  per- 
fect picture  of  the  old  style  New  England  farmer.  He  was  the  captain 
of  an  artillery  compan}r  in  Northampton  about  1812,  and  in  that  year  he 
marched  his  company  to  Boston  to  aid  in  defending  the  state.  About 
1815,  when  thirty-five  years  old,  he  removed  from  Northampton  and  built 
the  one  story  and  a  half  house  in  the  meadows,  which  still  may  be  seen 
at  the  junction  of  Meadow  and  Spring  streets.  Here  he  made  his  home 
till  his  death  in  1857.  Of  his  seven  children  four  were  sons.  One  of 
these,  Julius,  born  in  1820,  remained  on  the  farm.  He  was  well  known 
and  highly  esteemed.  He  was  an  upright  man  and  a  good  citizen,  and 
an  earnest  worker  in  the  Congregational  church.     He  died  June  4,  1892. 


SOLOMON    WARNER    TAVERN    SIGN. 


38 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


A  story  was  told  of  Samuel  Phelps,  the  father  of  Captain  Julius,  by 
his  grandson,  the  late  Julius.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  the  late  Moses  War- 
ner when  interviewed  on  the  subject  of  Florence  history  related  the  very 
same  anecdote,  without  some  of  the  minor  details,  but  he  made  the 
hero  his  great  grandfather,  Daniel  Warner.  One  or  the  other  had  made 
some  mistake  in  identifying  the  principal  actor,  but,  whichever  one  was 
correct,  the  hero  was  closely  connected  with  the  first  settlers  of  Florence. 
The  story  is  not  unlike  other  Indians  stories  and  should  be  taken  with  the 
customary  "  grain  of  salt."  As  recorded  in  Mr.  Huntington's  defunct 
"  Pen  and  Press,"  the  Phelps  version  is  as  follows  : — 

"  There  is  a  very  interesting  story  of  my  grandfather  and  when  first  told  to 
me,  when  a  mere  boy,  it  made  a  deep  impression  on  my  youthful  mind,  for  it  was 
an  '  Indian  story'  and  possessed  much  of  that  quality  which  both  charms  and 
excites  boys.  Late  one  afternoon,  he  went  in  search  of  the  cows.  The  only  way 
to  learn  the  whereabouts  of  the  cattle  '  out  to  pasture  '  was  by  the  tinkling  of 
the  bell  that  was  fastened  to  the  neck  of  one  of  the  animals.  As  grandfather 
neared  the  spot  where  the  sound  of  the  bell  seemed  to  indicate  the  cows  were, 
he  thought  the  bell  sounded  differently  from  the  usual  or  peculiar  tinkling  which 
a  bell  has  that  is  attached  to  the  neck  of  an  animal.  The  conclusion  that  he 
came  to  was  that  the  Indians  had  taken  the  bell  off  from  the  cow's  neck  and 
were  using  it  as  a  decoy  to  lead  him  a  long  way  into  the  forest,  perhaps  to  their 
camp,  and  thus  easily  capture  him  ;  but  with  great  presence  of  mind  he  began  to 
shout  in  a  commanding  voice  as  though  he  was  giving  orders  to  a  large  body  of 
men.  The  Indians,  supposing  that  a  force  of  white  men  was  right  upon  them, 
quickly  fled,  and  so  frightened  were  they  that  they  deserted  their  camp,  leaving 
their  food  and  all  their  booty.  Their  camp  was  on  that  slight  rise  a  short 
distance  beyond  where  my  house  now  stands,  or  to  the  left,  just  as  you  ascend  the 
small  hill." 


Hiii  ii  ii!3HHi£aHifiH& 

■  g|<j  i 

^»»^,^^^-^^ 

^^^^ffjf      *  'ft  ™  ^^^^^ 

H,  i   -  ■  ■  :K  < . 

'  "   '---k 

THE   SOLOMON    WARNER   TAVERN. 


SETTLEMENT    CON  I  INUKD. 


39 


THE    JULIUS    PHELPS    HOUSE. 


Enoch  Jew  kit.    -About  1816  Enoch  Jewett  moved  from  Northampton 
and  became  the   neighbor  of  Oliver   Warner.     Enoch's  father,  Timothy 
Jewett,  lived  on  Elm  street,  Northampton,  nearly  opposite  Paradise  road. 
He  had  a  shop  in  the  ravine  opposite  his  house,  and    here  his   two   sons, 
Enoch  and  Ansel,  assisted  their  father  in  making  and   repairing  spinning 
and    Max  wheels, 
and    also    in    the 
manufacture      of 
old-f  a  s  h  i  o  n  e  d 
taps  and  faucets. 
In     1816,     Enoch 
came  to  Florence 
and   built    the 
house     on     Main 
street  of  late  years 
known      as      the 
Samuel     Bottum 
place.     His  farm 
included    a  strip 
of  land  from  Pine 

street  to  Bridge  road.  The  house  when  built  was  a  one  story  and  a  half 
structure.  Here  in  addition  to  the  care  of  the  farm  he  made  shuttles  for 
the  woolen  factory  at  "  Shepherd's  Hollow  "  (now  Leeds),  using  a  foot 
lathe  for  turning,  and  also  continued  the  tap  and  faucet  business  and 
repaired  wheels. 

In  1828  he  purchased  of  William  Clark  for  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  dollars  eighty  acres  of  land  "  situated  on  both  sides  of  Brotton's 
Meadow  Brook."  He  obtained  permission  of  Dr.  Hunt,  who  was  a  great 
fisherman  and  who  owned  the  land  adjoining,  to  build  a  dam  across  the 
brook,  providing  that  Hunt  should  have  the  fish.  Soon  after  1828  (before 
1830)  he  built  the  dam  and  raised  the  pond  which  became  "  Holland's," 
and  later  "  Warner's  "  pond.  The  water  power  thus  developed  he  used 
in  a  small  shop  which  he  built  a  few  rods  north  of  Leonard's  Silk  Mill, 
manufacturing  warp  bobbins  and  spools  for  woolen  and  silk  mills.  His 
early  training  in  his  father's  shop  had  made  him  a  skilled  mechanic.  He 
tilled  one  order  for  seventy-five  thousand  warp  bobbins  for  the  Shep- 
herd's Hollow  mill. 

In  the  closing  month  of  the  year  1833  he  exchanged  his  farm,  the 
Samuel  Bottum  place,  for  two  hundred  acres  of  wild  wooded  land  near 
Brecksville,  Ohio.  Soon  after  he  built  a  small  house  near  his  shop  south 
of  Warner's  pond.  It  stands  to  this  day  just  back  of  Leonard's  Silk  Mill 
boarding  house.      Here  he  lived  for  nearly  ten  years,  or  until  he  sold  his 


4° 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


place,  including  the  house,  shop,  dam,  etc.,  to  Conant,  Swift,  and  Chaffee, 
November  30,  1842.  The  next  May  he  moved  to  his  Ohio  farm.  At  this 
time  Enoch  Jewett  was  a  straight,  squarely  built  man  of  fifty-two  years, 
standing  about  five  feet  eight  inches  tall,  and  weighing  one  hundred  and 
sixty  pounds.  He  had  blue  eyes,  dark  iron  gray  hair  and  whiskers,  and 
was  a  quick,  active  man  of  few  words.  He  died  at  Brecksville,  Ohio,  in 
1872,  aged  eighty-one  years.  He  left  four  children  :  Henry,  who  died  at 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  in  1886,  aged  seventy-two  years  ;  Isabella  G.,  who 
died  at  Westhampton  in  1888,  aged  sixty-nine  ;  Edward  and  Albert  G. 
The  latter  resides   in  Westhampton. 

William  Warner. — Whoever  has  a  recollection  of  Florence  in  the 
earlier  days  remembers  the  "  Polly  Bosworth  place."  This  was  built  by 
William  Warner  in  181 7.  William  Warner  did  not  belong  to  the  family 
of  Warners  who  first  settled  Florence.  He  was  the  son  of  Luther  and 
Bathsheba  Stebbins  Warner,  and  was  born  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts, 
in  1794.  At  an  early  age  he  went  to  Chesterfield  to  live  with  his  uncle. 
In  early  manhood  he  worked  for  "Landlord  Edwards"  at  Roberts 
Meadow,  where  he  became  acquainted  with  Juliette  Bridgman,  to  whom 
he  was  married  January  30,  1817.  Juliette  Bridgman  was  the  sister  of 
Mrs.  Oliver  Warner,  who  at  this  time  was  living  in  Florence. 

On  June  fifteenth 
following  his  mar- 
riage, he  paid  Gaius 
Burt  ten  dollars  for 
a  half  acre  of  land 
"  lying  between  the 
roads  leading  to  Ches- 
terfield and  Williams- 
burg." Here  he  built 
the  one  story  house 
which  Sylvester  and 
Polly  Bosworth  after- 
wards owned  and 
occupied.  When  Cos- 
mian  Hall  was  built 
in  1873,  the  house  was 
moved  to  the  foot  of 
Lake  street,  near  War- 
ren street,  its  present 
location.  William  Warner  built  a  blacksmith  shop  just  west  of  his  house 
and  worked  here  at  this  trade.  He  did  not  remain  long,  however,  for 
on  March  24,  1S20,  he  sold  the  place  to  Josiah  Whitney  of  Northampton, 


THE    ENOCH    JEWETT-SAMUEL    BOTTUM    PLACE. 


IETTLEM  EN  I    CON  UNITED. 


41 


but  possibly  he  rented  it  of  Whitney  until  about  [823,  when  he  bought  a 
farm  on  Horse  Mountain,  where  he  lived  several  years.  At  one  time  he 
had  charge  of  the  Cecil  Dwight  farm  and  built  the  small  house  for  one 
of  the  Colonel's  sons.  This  house  stood  just  west  of  the  "  Herdsdale" 
farmhouse,  and  was  burned  July  18,  1893.  The  old  chimney  remains, 
giving  us  a  good  idea  of  their  usual  size  in  the  olden  time. 


THE    WILLIAM    WARNER    HOL'SE   ON    THE    SITE   OF   COSMIAN    HALL. 

In  1840  he  built  the  house  next  below  the  Brush  Shop  bridge,  later 
occupied  by  the  Dorsey  family.  His  wife  died  in  1845,  and  the  next  year 
he  married  Mrs.  Roann  Lyman  of  Easthampton.  Shortly  after  this  he 
exchanged  the  Dorsey  place  in  Florence  for  a  South  Deerfield  farm,  and 
removed  to  the  latter,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  dying  in 
1874.  His  wife  survived  him  only  a  week.  Though  a  competent  work- 
man at  several  trades,  he  did  more  carpentry  and  farming  than  anything 
else.  Faithful  in  whatever  he  undertook,  he  gave  satisfaction  to  all  of  his 
employers.  His  five  children  now  living  are  Sybella,  widow  of  S.  S.  East- 
man of  Greenfield,  Juliette,  widow  of  Bella  P.  Searle  of  Belchertown, 
William,  now  living  in  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  Frances,  widow  of  William 
Metcalf  of  Northampton,  and  Susan  A.,  widow  of  Charles  L.  Washburn 
of  Belchertown. 

The  Seth  Warner  House. — The  house  on  Bridge  road  near  its  junc- 
tion with  North  Main  street  was  built  before  1819  b)'  the  first  settler, 
Joseph  Warner,  for  his  son  Seth.  This  son  died  soon  after  (December 
28,  1819),  and  others  of  the  Warner  family  made  the  house  their  home. 

Colonel  Pomeroy. — Colonel  Thomas  Pomeroy  was  one  of  the  early 
settlers.  In  1820,  when  twenty-five  years  old,  he  moved  to  Florence 
from  the  Center  and  built  a  house  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  on  the  north 


42 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


side  of  Locust  street,  which  was  bought  by  D.  G.  Littlefield  in  1865,  and 
moved  a  few  rods  west  to  Main  street,  just  east  of  Chestnut  street. 
After  Pomeroy  sold  the  house  to  Littlefield,  he  went  to  Northampton, 
but  the  change  of  location  did  not  suit  him,  and  the  next  year,  1866,  he 
returned  and  erected  another  house  near  the  old  homestead,  on  the  corner 
of  Pine  and  South  Main  streets,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  the 
fall  of  1880,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years. 

The  Colonel  was  wont  to  say  that  when  he  came  to  Florence  land 
was  cheap  and  he  could  have  purchased  the  entire  territory  for  ten  dollars 
an  acre.  Wild  game  was  plenty,  and  flocks  of  wild  turkeys  were  often 
seen  in  the  vicinity  of  his  house.  Trout  were  also  abundant,  and  a  half 
hour  was  sufficient  to  enable  even  an  indifferent  angler  to  catch  all  that 
his  ambition  demanded.  During  his  declining  years,  Colonel  Pomeroy 
was  a  great  friend  of  the  young  folks,  and  frequently  carried  candy  in 
his  pockets  with  which  to  treat  the  girls.  At  the  old  time  husking  bees, 
it  was  his  great  delight  to  find  the  red  ears  and  he  was  always  careful  to 
reap  the  reward  of  his  good  luck.  He  was  a  genial,  kind  hearted  old 
gentleman,  and  for  many  years  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church. 

The  Dwight  Farm. — Soon  after  1820  (some  say  1824)  Colonel  Cecil 
Dwight  came  to  Florence  and  made  a  home  for  himself  and  family  on 
the  large  tract  of  land  lying  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  village.  A 
few  rods  west  of  the  spot  where  to-day  Chestnut  street  intersects  Bridge 
road  he  built  his  house,  which  forms  a  part  of  the  present  "  Herdsdale  " 
homestead.      Colonel    Dwight    descended    from    an    old     Northampton 

family.  In  early  manhood  he 
was  a  deputy  sheriff,  an  auc- 
tioneer, and  a  colonel  of  mili- 
tia, and  in  1812  he  represented 
Northampton  in  the  state  leg- 
islature. When  he  moved  to 
Florence  he  was  fifty  years  old. 
The  farm  comprised  about 
three  hundred  acres,  previ- 
ously owned  by  his  father, 
Major  Timothy,  who  was  an 
extensive  landowner,  and  is 
said  to  have  owned  at  one 
time  a  large  part  of  "  Long  Division."  Colonel  Cecil  was  the  only  one 
of  the  large  family  of  Dwights  that  chose  Northampton  for  his  perma- 
nent home.  He  was  much  employed  as  an  arbitrator  in  difficult  matters 
and  actively  promoted  the  material  interests  of  the  town.  He  was 
nearly  six  feet  high,  broad   shouldered   and  muscular,  with   regular  feat- 


RUINS   OF   OLD    CHIMNEY — HERDSDALE   FARM. 


SETTLEMENT    CONTINUED. 


43 


HERDSDALE    FARM. 


ures  and  piercing  black  eyes.  He  had  eleven  children,  all  born  before 
he  moved  to  Florence.  About  1830,  he  built,  next  to  his  own,  a  house 
for  one  of  his  sons.  He  occupied  the  farm  until  about  1835,  when  his 
son  George  took  pos- 

■ 


session.  Cecil  Dwight 
died  at  Moscow,  New 
York,  November  26, 
1839.  In  1S48  George 
Dwight  died  and  the 
next  occupant  was 
Joseph  Conant,  who 
lived  on  the  farm  till 
1852.  Robert  Fitts 
owned  the  place  for 
six  years  ('54  to  '60) 
when  he  sold  it  to 
Charles,  a  son  of  Ex- 
Governor  Fairbanks,  of  Vermont.  Constant  cropping  of  the  soil  with- 
out just  return  had  made  the  land  poor.  Although  Mr.  Fairbanks  never 
lived  here,  he  made  extensive  improvements  on  the  farm,  and  for 
many  years  after  he  sold  it  it  was  known  as  the  "  Fairbanks  Place." 
Various  persons  have  owned  it  since,  each  owner  giving  it  a  new  name. 
Once  it  was  the  "  Chase  Farm,"  then  when  D.  W.  Bond  bought  it  he 
called  it  "  Herdsdale,"  and  now  it  is  known  as  the  "Knight  Place." 

THE    OLIVER    WARNER    TAVERN    IN    THE    TWENTIES. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  of  May,  1820,  "Andrew  and  Henry  W.  Lord  of 
Saybrook,  Connecticut,  merchants,"  purchased  the  tavern  stand  of  Oliver 
Warner.  After  four  years,  the  father,  Andrew  Lord,  exchanged  with 
James  Hutchinson  of  Northampton,  his  half  interest  in  the  tavern  for  the 
William  Warner  homestead  (the  Polly  Bosworth  house),  which  Hutchin- 
son had  owned  just  a  year.  About  this  time  a  building  was  put  up  oppo- 
site the  tavern,  on  the  site  of  the  present  hotel,  and  presumably  it  was 
built  by  Andrew  Lord  for  a  shop.  Here  he  made  and  sold  combs,  and 
kept  a  small  line  of  toys,  and  Messrs.  Henry  Shepherd  and  Edward  War- 
ner of  Northampton  both  have  vivid  recollections  of  how  attractive  to 
their  youthful  eyes  was  this  neat  little  store,  filled  with  all  kinds  of  toys. 
Mr.  Shepherd  thinks  that  Mr.  Lord  made  in  his  shop  the  toys  he  sold.  It 
seems  a  strange  place  for  such  a  store,  situated  as  it  was  so  far  from  the 
center  of  the  town.  The  half  interest  Mr.  Hutchinson  had  purchased  of 
father  Lord  he  sold  the  next  spring  to  the  son,  Andrew  Lord,  who  was 
granted   an  innholder's  license  in  March,  and  remained  sole  proprietor 


44 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


until  April  28,  1826,  when  the  tavern  with  the  accompanying  thirty  acre 
farm  was  sold  to  James  Shepherd  for  four  thousand  dollars. 

In  1810  James  Shepherd  started  the  woolen  mills  in  what  is  now  the 
village  of  Leeds,  then  and  for  nearly  fifty  years  afterwards  known  as 
"  Shepherd's  Hollow."  He  was  one  of  the  first  persons  in  this  country  to 
manufacture  broadcloths  and  woolens.  Soon  after  he  bought  the  tavern 
he  erected  a  good  sized  building  a  few  rods  east  of  the  tavern  barn,  nearly 
on  the  site  of  the  present  Knights  of  Honor  block.  He  bought  large 
quantities  of  wool  in  the  "fleece,"  put  up  in  great  bales.  As  only  a  cer- 
tain grade  of  wool  could  be  made  into  broadcloth,  all  that  he  bought  had 
to  be  assorted,  the  different  grades  selected  and  placed  in  separate  bun- 
dles.    This  wool  "  loft  "  served  both  as  an  assorting  and  a  store  house. 

Mr.  Shepherd  never  occupied  the  tavern,  but  rented  it  to  others.  He 
failed  in  1828,  and  Nathaniel  Fowle,  who  had  indorsed  for  Shepherd, 
seems  to  have  taken  upon  himself  the  management  of  the  tavern.  Who 
the  landlords  of  the  inn  were  after  Shepherd  became  proprietor  in  1826, 
until  Paul  Strong  bought  the  place  in  1832,1s  not  certainly  known.  Sev- 
eral names  have  been  found  in  the  records  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  as 
possible  tavern  keepers  in  Florence.  They  are  as  follows  :  1826  and  1827, 
Luther  White  ;  September,  1828,  no  clew  ;  1829,  Paul  Strong  ;  Septem- 
ber, 1830,  Harvey  Kirkland  ;  1831,  Ira  Atkins,  who  afterwards  kept  the 
small  shop  opposite  the  tavern,  or  Charles  Morton  ;  and  in  June,  1832, 
Paul  Strong  was  granted  the  license  of  an  "  innholder  with  spirits,"  at 
the  "  Lord  house." 


OLD    SILK    MILL    KOARDINC,    HOUSE FORMERLY   JAMES    SHEPHERDS    WOOL    HOUSE. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

FROM   1 83 1  TO  1835. 

The  "Traveler's    Home." — The  Tavern  Stand;   and  an    Evening   Scene. — Early 
Roads  and  Bridges. — The  Later  History  of   the  Saw,  Grist  and  Oil  Mills. 

The  Paul  Strong  tavern  was,  in  its  day,  the  most  prominent  feature 
of  Florence,  and  through  it  the  surrounding  settlement  was  known. 
The  house  now  standing  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Maple  streets  was 
built  in  1S09,  by  Oliver  Warner,  but  not  until  Paul  Strong  appears  on 
the  scene  did  the  inn  attain  its  greatest  popularity. 

Paul  Strong  was  born  in  Westhamp- 
ton,  September  25,  1780.  In  the  spring 
of  1800  he  married  Sarah  Chapman, 
of  Easthampton.  They  lived  on  a 
farm  in  Westhampton  twenty-seven 
years,  and  their  seven  sons  and  four 
daughters  were  born  there.  In  1827 
Paul  went  to  Northampton  and  en- 
tered the  employ  of  Oliver  Warner, 
as  bartender  and  clerk  at  the  famous 
"Warner  tavern."  He  purchased  the 
Florence  tavern  in  December,  1832, 
for  thirteen  hundred  dollars,  of  the 
Greenfield  Bank,  into  whose  hands  the 
Shepherd  property  had  passed  only 
a  short  time  before.  The  farm  in- 
cluded fifty  acres  of  land  lying  north 
of  Main  and  North  Main  streets. 
When  the  railroads  were  built  about  1845  the  tavern  was  discontinued. 
Paul  Strong  died  in  1S56,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six.  His  wife  died  in 
1864,  aged  eighty-four.  Four  of  his  children  are  living.  Those  in  this 
vicinity  are  Mrs.  Caleb  Loud,  of  Loudville,  and  James  William  Strong, 
of  Easthampton,  the  former  eighty-three  years  old,  and  the  latter  seventy- 
four. 

Situated  on  the  turnpike  from  Boston  to  Albany,  which  previous  to 
the  advent  of  the  railroads  in  1841  was  the  usual  route  to  the  west,  this 
Paul  Strong  inn  received  its  share  of  the  heavy  patronage  on  the  through 
line,  and  furthermore  was  a  famous  resort,  especially  in  the  winter,  when 
sleighing  parties  came  from  all  the  surrounding  towns.  Near  the  close 
of  the  last  century  several  lines  of  stages  were  in  regular  operation,  and 


PAUL    STRONG. 


46 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


one  could  travel  with  little  difficulty  or  delay  in  almost  any  direction. 
The  line  to  Albany  was  started  in  1794,  with  Pease,  Hunt  &:  Co.  the 
proprietors.     Their  advertisement  appearing  in  an  old  Gazette  reads  : — 

"  The  Stages  leave  Boston  and  Albany,  on  Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Saturday  of 
every  week,  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  stage  from  Boston,  on  its  way  to 
Northampton,  tarries  the  first  night  at  Spencer,  and  the  second  at  Northampton. 
The  stage  from  Albany  on  its  way  to  Northampton,  (passes  by  New  Lebannon 
Springs,)  tarries  the  first  night  at  Pittsfield,  and  the  second  night  at  Northampton, 
where  they  exchange  passengers — and  the  next  morning,  at  five  o'clock  [the 
hour  was  changed  later  to  three]  leave  Northampton  for  Boston  and  Albany. 
The  price  of  each  passenger  is  3d  per  mile,  14  II).  baggage  gratis— 150  lb.  of 
baggage  charged  the  same  as  a  passenger." 


MAIN    STREET — LOOKING    EAST    FROM    CUSMIAN    PARK. 


As  the  years  went  by  the  patronage  naturally  increased  till  it  reached 
a  climax  just  before  the  railroads  were  opened.  The  travel  here  was 
immense  for  those  days.  Colonel  Pomeroy  used  to  say  that  he  had 
known  twelve  heavily  loaded  stages  to  pass  over  this  route  in  a  day, 
during  the  height  of  the  season  at  Saratoga.  When  the  stage  stopped 
to  water  the  horses,  many  of  the  travelers  were  tempted  to  get  "  some- 
thing "  to  brace  up  their  flagging  spirits  near  the  close  of  an  all  day's 
journey,  or  to  warm  themselves  both  inside  and  out  on  some  frosty 
morning  when  the  very  early  start  from  Northampton  had  occasioned 
them  no  little  discomfort.  During  all  the  time  that  this  house  was  open 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  public,  liquors  were  sold  at  its  bar  as  freely 
as  the  viands  from  its  table.  The  flip-iron  was  in  almost  constant  use, 
and  the  "  flowing  bowl  "  was  drained  with  a  frequency  quite  astonish- 
ing to  the  teetotalers  of  the  present  day. 


FROM     1831     TO     1835. 


47 


The  Tavern  Stand  ;  and  an  Evening  Scene. — The  old  tavern  pre- 
sented much  the  same  appearance  in  1832  that  it  does  to-day.  Save  for 
the  addition  now  used  by  F.  D.  R.  Warner  as  a  store,  and  some  minor 
changes  on  the  rear,  the  old  structure  is  the  same  on  the  outside.  This 
cannot  be  said  of  the  interior,  the  attic 
being  the  only  part  that  bears  no  traces 
of  the  remodeling  hammer  and  saw. 
In  1831,  a  casual  observer  from  the 
highway  would  first  notice  the  sign.  It 
stood  eight  feet  from  and  in  line  with 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  main  build- 
ing, bearing  on  each  side  the  inscription 
"Traveler's  Home,  P.  Strong."  Sus- 
pended on  a  pole  that  reached  to  the 
eaves,  it  swung  back  and  forth, the  sport 
of  every  gust  of  wind. 

Directly  opposite  the  tavern  was  the 
small  shop  then  occupied  by  Ira  Atkins, 
who  made  patent  leather,  and  was  a 
saddler  and  harness  maker  by  trade. 
West  of  the  tavern  was  the  garden. 
Boyhood  days  are  the  days  to  be  re- 
membered, and  Mr.  William  Strong  has 
retained  vivid  impressions  of  many  in- 
cidents that  took  place  in  Florence  when  he  was  a  boy.  One  day  he  was 
setting  out  bean  poles,  and  when  the  task  was  nearly  done  he  found — 
and  who  that  ever  set  bean  poles  has  not  had  the  same  experience  ? — 
that  he  had  not  poles  enough  to  finish  his  plot.  "As  I  looked  around  for 
one,"  he  says,  "  I  happened  to  see  this  little  sprout  of  a  buttonball  tree. 
I  cut  it  down  and  put  it  in  the  ground,  and  that  tree  that  is  there  now 
(directly  in  front  of  Julius  Maine's  house)  is  a  sprout  of  the  old  root  from 
which  I  cut  my  bean  pole."  In  the  rear  of  the  tavern  was  the  bowling 
alley,  the  long,  narrow  building  a  favorite  resort  of  the  young  folks 
when  dancing  was  not  in  order.  The  tavern  barn  stood  about  where 
the  Morgan  house  is  now. 

We  have  completed  the  inspection  of  the  tavern  surroundings,  so  now 
let  us  step  inside.  If  the  winter  has  set  in  and  the  genial  host  is  enter- 
taining a  sleighing  party,  the  sight  will  be  a  gay  one.  Entering  the  side 
door  (the  front  door  was  used  for  state  occasions  only),  we  find  ourselves 
in  the  office,  or,  as  it  was  known  in  those  days,  the  barroom.  This  room 
was  the  center  of  the  social  and  political  life  of  the  village.  On  the 
opposite  side  of  the   room    the  huge  open   fire   blazed   brightly   on   the 


PAUL    STRONG   TAVERN    SIGN. 


48 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


1 


STORE 


OLD  HATFIELD 
PARLOR 


KITCHEN 


DINING  ROOM. 


BAR. 


TRONT 

PARLOR 


JCHIMLY 


HALL 


BAR  ROOM 
OR  OFFICE 


hearth.  To  the  right  was  the  bar,  and  on  the  wall  back  of  it  were  shelves 
holding  rows  of  large  bottles,  conspicuously  labeled  "New  Rum,"  "Old 
Whiskey,"  "Jamaica  Rum,"  etc.,  etc.  If  the  sleighing  party  has  just 
arrived,  the  young  ladies  are  warming  themselves  before  the  fire,  but  if 
they  have  adjourned  to  the  dancing  hall  above,  the 
driver  and  one  or  two  other  men  occupy  the  few 
straight-backed  homemade  chairs  ;  possibly  a  game 
of  cards  has  been  started  around  the  rude,  wooden 
table  that  stands  in  the  center  of  the  room. 

The  door  to  the  right  of  the  fireplace  opens  into 
the  dining  room,  and  within  we  see  the  festive 
board  heavily  laden  in  anticipation  of  the  keen  ap- 
petites of  the  guests.  Back  of  the  dining  room 
is  the  kitchen,  presenting  a  very  lively  scene,  for  the 
tidy  wife  of  the  landlord,  assisted  by  the  daughters, 
is  busily  preparing  the  feast. 
Passing  through  the  front  hall 
we  enter  the  parlor,  called  the 
"front  parlor,"  to  distinguish 
it  from  the  one  in  the  rear  of 
the  house,  and  named  "  Old 
Hatfield  "  because  it  was  so 
far  away.  But  the  sound  of 
music  and  the  shuffling  of 
manv  feet  leads  us  to  the 
rooms  above.  After  ascending 
the  stairs  that  lead  from  the 
piazza  we  turn  to  the  right  and  find  ourselves  in  a  cozy  hall,  twenty  by 
thirty-eight  feet,  lighted  by  candles,  and  warmed  by  glowing  fires  in  two 
good  sized  fireplaces.  In  the  middle  of  the  floor  are  the  dancers,  the 
men  stamping  heavily  as  they  keep  time  to  the  music,*  which  comes  from 
the  solitary  fiddler  seated  on  the  platform  at  the  north  end  of  the  hall. 
Bursts  of  laughter  mingle  with  the  noise  of  the  stamping  and  the 
squeaking  of  the  violin,  and  the  whole  scene  is  one  of  excessive  merri- 
ment. Late  is  the  hour  when  the  party  breaks  up,  after  having  danced 
and  supped  to  their  heart's  content.  Bidding  the  landlord  good  night, 
they  file  out  of  the  door  and  arrange  themselves  in  the  long  box  sleigh 
amongst  a  profusion  of  wraps,  robes,  and  straw.  The  driver  cracks  the 
long  whip,  and  in  an  instant  the  music  of  the  bells  is  heard  far  down  the 
road.     The  landlord,  son,  and   hostler  return  to  the  barroom.     Any  soli- 


ex 


GROUND    PLAN    OF   TAVERN. 


*  It  is  stated  that  Samuel  Parsons  (father  of  Colonel  Joe),  while  dancing  in  this  hall,  once 
stamped  so  hard  that  he  knocked  considerable  plastering  from  the  ceiling  of  the  room  below. 


FROM     1831    TO    1835. 


49 


tary  guest  who  has  not  already  gone  to  bed  is  aroused  from  his  sleepy 
mood,  occasioned  by  the  lateness  of  the  hour  and  a  too  free  indulgence 
in  the  flowing-  spirits.  Taking  the  candle  from  the  mantelpiece,  the  host 
precedes  the  weary  traveler  up  the  narrow  staircase,  and  shows  him  the 
ice  cold  chamber  in  which  he  is  to  sleep.  Soon  the  barroom  is  deserted 
by  all  save  the  hostler,  who,  after  carefully  "  raking  up  "  the  embers  in 
the  big  fireplace,  stretches  himself  on  the  bunk  at  the  right  of  the  door, 
and  in  less  than  five  minuses  is  sound  asleep.  Outside,  the  creaking  of 
the  sign  as  it  swings  to  and  fro  in  the  gusts  of  wind  that  whistle  around 
the  corner  is  the  only  sound  that  disturbs  the  silence  of  the  wintry  night. 

EARLY    ROADS    AND    BRIDGES. 

The  first  traveled  way  from  the  center  to  Florence  was  not  a  road 
in  the  modern  sense  of  the  word.  It  was  simply  a  cart  path  made  by 
cutting  awav  the  trees   and  brush   and  was    laid   out  over  the   most  con- 


LOOKING   TOWARD    BRUSH    SHOP    BRIDGE,    SHOWING    DORSEY    HOUSE. 

venient  route,  always  going  around  obstacles,  such  as  large  stones  or 
marshy  ground.  The  date  of  the  layout  of  this  first  road  is  not  recorded, 
but  it  was  within  fourteen  years  after  the  first  settlers  came  to  North- 
ampton, as  the  following  item  from  the  town  book  shows  : — 

"  Voted  and  agreed  that  the  Committee  here  mentioned  is  lmpowered  by  the 
Town  to  Treat  with  &  to  conclude  (if  they  can)  with  Cornelius  Merry  to  give 
him  Satisfaction  with  respect  to  the  Damage  he  sustained  by  the  Town's  taking 
a  highway  out  of  his  lot  that  is  up  the  Mill  river  at  Broughton's  meadow  to  be 
seven  rods  wide." 


5° 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


This  first  highway,  starting  from  the  junction  of  North  Elm  and 
Prospect  streets,  near  the  site  of  the  old  Dennison  Water  Cure,  passed 
by  the  spot  where  the  Dickinson  Hospital  now  stands  and  led  straight 
across  the  plain  to  Leonard's  Silk  Mill.     The  road  crossed   Broughton's 


MAP   OF    FLORENCE,    183I. 


brook  just  below  the  dam  of  Warner's  (Leonard's)  pond,  then  turned  to 
the  northwest,  keeping  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  till  it  coincided  with  the 
present  Pine  street  at  a  point  near  the  Kindergarten,  thence  followed 
that  street  till  it  came  to  the  river,  near  the  existing  Brush  Shop  bridge. 
In  1702  this  road  was  extended  "through  Broughton's  Meadow,"  to  a 
point  near  where  Julius  Phelps  built  in  1815.  This  first  highway  was 
later  called  "  Stoddard's  road,"  and  after  White  built  his  oil  mill  it  was 
known  as  the  "  oil  mill  road." 


FROM    1 83 1    TO    1835.  51 

The  other  main  road  from  Northampton  from  the  same  starting  point 
led  northerly  to  the  Catholic  cemetery,  thence  followed  the  route  of 
the  present  "  Bridge  road  "  to  Florence.  This  was  for  a  long  time  called 
the  "  North  road,"  in  contrast  to  the  "  South  road,"  by  which  the  first 
highway  was  known.  Both  of  these  highways  are  shown  on  the  map  of 
1754,  on  page  20,  and  the  map  on  opposite  page.  In  1831  there  was  no 
road  to  Easthampton,  and  none  south  of  the  "oil  mill  road,"*  all  the 
territory  from  the  dam  to  the  old  paper  mill  below  Bay  State  being 
a  wilderness,  and  an  excellent  hunting  ground  for  the  boys  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. Albert  G.  Jewett,  who  hunted  here  when  a  boy,  says  the  region 
was  full  of  squirrels,  partridges,  skunks,  woodchucks,  and  foxes.  The 
D wight  farm  ("  Herdsdale  ")  was  not  then  easily  accessible  from  the 
center  of  the  settlement,  the  choice  of  routes  being  around  by  Joseph 
Warner's  or  by  what  is  now  Hatfield  street  and  the  Catholic  cemetery. 

No  bridge  was  built  in  this  region  for  eighty  years  after  the  settle- 
ment of  Northampton.  In  the  record  of  a  highway  "through  Brough- 
ton's  Meadow  "  in  1702  the  following  is  found,  "Which  Highway  as  soon 
as  you  go  over  Mill  river  at  the  Common   place  of  going  over,"  proving 


mp: 


MEADOW    STREET    BRIDGE — FORMERLY    BURT'S    ISRIDGE. 


that  there  was  no  bridge  at  that  time.  Whether  this  fording  place  was 
at  Meadow  street  or  at  Pine  street  is  not  known.  The  first  bridge  was 
built  soon  after  December  25,  1733,  as  under  this  date  the  following  item 
appears  in  the  town  book  : — 

"  Voted  to  build  a  bridge  over  the  Mill  river  above  Hulbert's  Sawmill  as  Soon 
as  conveniently  may  be  &  that  Ebenezer  Clark,  John  Baker  and  Joseph  Wright 
be  a  Committee  &  to  take  care  to  effect  the  Same.'' 


*Nonotuck  street  was  laid  out  in  1836. 


52 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


The  bridge  was  lower  down  than  the  present  Pine  street  bridge  and 
extended  north  and  south  across  the  river,  only  a  few  feet  above  the  dam, 
which  was  then  a  little  further  up  stream.  The  bridge  needed  repairing 
in  1736  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  see  to  it.  Soon  it  came  to  be 
known  as  "  Hulbert's  Mill  bridge."  In  1768  the  bridge  was  rebuilt,  but 
only  four  years  after  we  find  this  in  the  town  book  : — 

"  And  then  on  Information  of  the  State  of  Hulbert's  bridge,  the  Towne  voted 
that  Mr.  Enoch  Clark,  the  surveyor,  be  desired  to  provide  a  Sleeper  and  also  pro- 
vide and  replace  the  hook  posts  and  girts  and  make  an  effectual  reparation  of  the 
same." 

According  to  Judd,  when  Abner  Hunt  (born  1768)  was  a  boy  this 
bridge  was  where  the  Brush  Shop  bridge  is  now,  so  it  is  likely  that  when 


FROM    COSMIAN    TOWER — EAST. 


it  was  rebuilt  in  1768  it  was  placed  farther  up  stream.  Since  1830  there 
have  been  three  different  bridges  there,  the  first  was  of  wood,  with  side- 
walks on  each  side,  and  the  second  was  the  same  as  the  present  one,  and 
was  swept  away  by  the  Mill  River   flood. 


FROM     1 83 1     TO     1835. 


53 


THE    LATER    HISTORY    OK    THE    SAW,    GRIST,    AND    OIL    MILLS. 

The  years    just    preceding  the    appearance  in    1835  of    Mr.    Samuel 
Whitmarsh  upon  the  stage  on  which  he  afterward  played  such  an  impor- 
tant part,  were  the  years  that  witnessed  the  final  development  of  the  oil, 
grist,  and  saw  mills.      Early  in 
the  spring  of  1822,  Eliza,  the 
only  daughter  of   the  veteran 
oil  maker,  Josiah  White,  was 
married  to  Colonel  WilliamW. 
Thompson  of  Brimfield.     This 
union    brought   to  Florence  a 
man  who   afterwards   became 
quite  as    conspicuous   in    the 
life  of  the  settlement  as  Josiah 
White    himself.        Thompson 
lived  with  his  father  White  in 
the  little  house  near  the  Nono- 
tuck  dam  before  referred   to. 
He    was   a  strong   Democrat, 
and  at  one  time  was  a  candi- 
date for    lieutenant-governor 
of  this   state.     It   is  said  that 
he  was  not  over  fond  of  work. 
Thompson  was  a  great  story 
teller    (possibly    because     he 
was  a  politician),  and  was  ac- 
quainted with  everybody.    He 
always  drove  a  good  horse  in 
good  style,  and  if  reports  are 
correct    was    one    of    "  Uncle 
Paul's"  best  customers.     He 
was  six   feet   high,  with    broad   shoulders,  and    a   fine  figure.     His  early 
education  had  been  that  of  a  lawyer,  but  he  preferred  to  dabble  in  poli- 
tics, smoke  a  cob  pipe,  and  patronize  the  tavern  bar,  rather  than  do  any- 
thing in  his  profession.     His  father  White  was  growing  old,  and  therefore 
Thompson  worked  about  the  mills.     In  1832  White  died  and  Thompson 
assumed  the  control  and   supervision   of  the  various  industries  built   up 
under  the  fostering  care  of   the  oil  maker.     The  oil  and  grist  mill  at  the 
east  end  of  the  dam  was  still  in  existence,  although  the  oil  business  must 
have  been  practically  defunct.     The  old  water  wheel  that  turned  the  mill 
stones  and  furnished  power  to   the  huge  oil  press  was  of  a  kind  called 
a  "Coffin  wheel."     From  all  we  can  learn  of  this  wheel  it  must  have  been 


Pausing  here  a  minute,  we  will  bear  a  squirrel  chuckle, 
As  he  darts  from  out  the  underbrush  and  scampers  up  a  tree. 
—James  Whitcomb  Riley. 


54 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


of  the  reactionary  type,  which  is  illustrated  in  its  simplest  form  by  the 
wheel  known  as  "  Barker's  mill."  Anson  Reed  was  employed  by  Thomp- 
son and  worked  at  the  grist  mill.  He  moved  to  Newbury,  Ohio,  a  few 
years  after  1832. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  a  little  below  the  dam,  was  the  saw- 
mill building,  which  at  this  time  contained  a  machine  shop  and  other 
industries.  An  overshot  wheel  at  the  south  end  of  the  dam  furnished 
power  for  a  sawmill  on  the  first  floor  of  the  building.  The  log  yard  was 
on  the  high  ground  south  of  the  mill.  The  basement  was  fitted  up  for 
a  machine  shop,  with  lathes,  trip  hammer,  etc.,  and  here  Asher  Shepherd 
and  his  son  Frank  did  quite  a  business  manufacturing  butcher  knives  and 


NOR  III    MAPLE    STREET — FROM    HOTEL    CORNER. 

screw  drivers.  Soon  after  1832  a  machine  for  making  shingles  was  in  use, 
and  a  little  later  a  planing  machine  was  set  up  by  a  man  named  Smith, 
from  Hardwick.  Previous  to  the  time  when  Mr.  Jewett  built  his  shop  on 
the  Oil  Mill  road  he  used  this  machine  shop  for  turning  bobbins.  Asher 
Shepherd  lived  in  the  Polly  Bosworth  house  for  a  few  years  after  1832. 

Esquire  Thompson  lived  here  till  1835,  when  he  sold  his  farm  to  Sam- 
uel Whitmarsh  and  moved  to  Peoria,  111.,  where  his  strong  Democratic 
convictions  soon  brought  him  into  prominence,  and  he  was  the  party 
candidate  for  governor  or  lieutenant-governor  of  that  state.  The  pur- 
chase by  Whitmarsh  of  the  Thompson  property  marks  the  beginning  of 
a  new  era  in  the  life  of  the  little  settlement  called  the  "  Warner  District." 


CHAPTER    VII. 

MULBERRY    FEVER   AND    SILK    ENTERPRISE. 

Early  Biography  of  Samuel  Whitmarsh. — The  Northampton  Silk  Company.— 
Later  Enterprises  of  Mr.  Whitmarsh. — David  Lee  and  Lydia  Maria 
Child. — Josiah  Gilbert  Holland. 

For  several  years  following  1835,  Northampton  was  the  center  of  an 
excitement  which,  of  its  kind,  is  believed  to  have  been  without  a  parallel 
in  the  country.  It  was  similar  in  some  respects  to  the  great  oil  specu- 
lation in  Pennsylvania  a  few 
years  ago.  To  follow  the 
course  of  events  leading  up 
to  the  time  when  Florence 
took  an  active  interest  in  the 
rage,  let  us  turn  back  a  few 
years  and  observe  the  move- 
ments of  one  of  the  leaders  of 
this  excitement. 

Samuel  Whitmarsh  was 
born  in  Boston,  November, 
1800.  By  the  death  of  his 
father,  he  wras  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources  in  early 
life,  and  was  apprenticed  to 
a  bookbinder.  After  serving 
his  time,  in  connection  with 
his  brother  Thomas  he  en- 
gaged in  the  dry  goods  busi- 
ness in  his  native  town.  Soon 
they  went  to  New  York, where 
they  continued  to  deal  in  dry 
goods  and  added  to  their 
business  a  line  of  men's  fur- 
nishing goods.  This  new  de- 
parture soon  led  them  into  the  merchant  tailoring  business.  Mr.  Whit- 
marsh thought  that  if  he  could  furnish  a  superior  article  the  better  class 
of  people,  heretofore  "  custom-made  "  men,  would  give  him  their  trade. 
He  was  not  mistaken  and  soon  the  business  proved  very  successful.  In 
1829,  having  accumulated  a  comfortable  property,  he  came  to  North- 
ampton and   purchased  of  Major  William   Parsons,  of  South  street,  the 


SAMUEL    WHITMARSH. 


56 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Fort  hill  property,  embracing  substantially  the  lands  now  owned  by  Mr. 
E.  H.  R.  Lyman.  On  the  high  ground  where  Mr.  Lyman's  house  now 
stands  he  erected  a  commodious  residence,  later  extensively  remodeled 
and  enlarged  by  Mr.  Jacob  Singmaster  and  Mr.  Lyman.  Mr.  Whitmarsh 
set  to  work  at  once  to  beautify  his  place.     He  laid  out  the  grounds,  built 


JUNCTION    PARK    AND    MEADOW    STREET. 


walks,  driveways,  and  terraces,  set  out  shrubbery  and  trees,  erected  a 
large  greenhouse,  made  a  beautiful  garden,  and  from  the  wild  pasture 
and  plowlands  brought  forth  one  of  the  most  beautiful  places  in  the 
Connecticut  valley.  He  had  taste  and  talent  for  landscape  gardening, 
and  did  much  for  Northampton  in  this  line. 

In  some  way  he  became  interested  in  raw  silk,  and  thought  that  its 
production  might  be  successfully  carried  on  in  this  country.  With  him, 
to  reach  a  conclusion  was  to  act  upon  it.  Within  one  or  two  years  after 
he  built  the  Fort  Hill  house,  he  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  mul- 
berry. He  began  on  a  small  scale,  and  gradually  added  to  his  collection 
of  trees  as  his  interest  in  the  subject  increased.  The  only  variety  of  mul- 
berry that  had  been  commonly  grown  in  this  country  was  the  "  white 
mulberry."  He  first  experimented  with  this  variety,  but  soon  found 
another  and  apparently  much  superior  kind,  the  "  morus  multicaulis." 
He  introduced  this  to  the  few  growers  and  farmers  in  this  region  who 
had  caught  some  of  his  enthusiasm  regarding  this  new  industry. 

A  few  towns  in  Connecticut  were  interested  in  the  manufacture  of 
silk,  and  the  tireless  and  persistent  efforts  of  a  few  leaders  like  Mr.  Whit- 
marsh bore  fruit  in  the  public  press  in  articles  on  mulberry  tree  cultiva- 
tion and  the  care  of  the  silkworm.  By  1835  he  was  thoroughly  convinced 
that  something  should  be  done  on    a   larger  scale   than  he  was  able  to 


MULBERRY    FEVER    AND    SILK    ENTERPRISE.  57 

prosecute  single  handed,  and   he  therefore  took  steps  to  carry  out  this 
idea. 

The  Northampton  Silk  Company. — The  valuable  water  privilege  in 
Florence  at  this  time  was  the  property  of  Esquire  Thompson.  Mr. 
Whitmarsh  thought  this  a  desirable  spot  for  his  pet  scheme,  as  the  water 
privilege  and  surrounding  interval  lands  in  the  fertile  ;'  Broughton's 
Meadow  "  afforded  power  and  territory  sufficient  for  all  future  demands 
of  the  enterprise.  By  the  middle  of  September  he  had  purchased  nearly 
three  hundred  acres  of  land  with  which  to  begin  operations.  He  paid 
Esquire  Thompson  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  for  his  ninety 
acre  farm,  which  included  the  sawmill,  oil  mill,  and  water  privilege  ;  he 
gave  Gaius  Burt  six  thousand  dollars  for  his  productive  one  hundred  acre 
farm  in  the  meadow,  and  obtained  ninety-five  acres  more  from  William 
Clark,  Senior.  He  then  went  to  New  York  to  secure  money  to  push  his 
enterprise.  His  sanguine  hopes  and  great  earnestness  soon  enlisted  a 
ready  response  from  moneyed  men,  and  before  the  middle  of  October 
he  had  organized  the  "  Northampton  Silk  Company,"  as  the  name  is 
recorded  in  all  the  legal  documents,  instead  of  the  "  New  York  and 
Northampton  Silk  Company,"  the  name  given  in  previous  histories.  By 
an  act  of  the  Legislature  the  company  was  incorporated  in  the  spring. 

Among  the  men  interested  in  the  project  were  Ebenezer  Jackson  and 
Samuel  Russell  of  Middletovvn,  Connecticut,  Augustus  Heard  of  Boston, 
Smith  W.  Anderson,  Stephen  A.  Halsey,  Robert  Jones,  James  Bowen, 
Henry  \V.  Sergeant,  John  C.  Bergh,  John  W.  P.  Arcularius,  E.  W.  &  F. 
Tryon,  Howard,  Kieler  &  Schofield,  Comstock  &  Andrews,  Charles  N.  S. 
Rowland,  Daniel  L.  Suydam,  Newton  Hayes,  Christopher  S.  Hubbard, 
Charles  N.  Talbot,  Joseph  W.  Alsop,  Junior,  Henry  H.  Casey,  Isaac  Jones, 
Eustis  Prescott,  Charles  St.  John,  and  Stephen  Crocker,  all  of  New  York 
city. 

Ebenezer  Jackson  was  an  English  weaver.  The  first  board  of  officers 
was  as  follows  :  Samuel  Whitmarsh,  president  ;  Talbot,  Russell,  Hub- 
bard, and  Bowen,  directors  ;  Charles  St.  John,  treasurer,  and  William  H. 
Schofield,  clerk. 

To  acquaint  himself  with  the  practical  details  of  the  contemplated 
business,  Mr.  Whitmarsh,  before  the  last  of  October,  had  sailed  for  Europe. 
He  visited  the  silk  growing  regions  of  France,  Italy,  and  Switzerland, 
and  made  large  purchases  in  France,  so  large,  in  fact,  that  the  Gazette 
says,  "The  demand  for  the  morus  multicaulis  is  greater  than  ever. 
Mr.  Whitmarsh's  purchases  have  raised  the  price  of  it  in  that  country 
[France]  nearly  fifty  per  cent."  Mr.  Whitmarsh  had  a  very  competent 
agent  in  Mr.  C.  P.  Huntington,  the  editor  of  the  Gazette,  who  made  good 
use  of  his  organ  to  advertise  the  business.     Mr.  Whitmarsh  did  not  return 


58 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


to  Northampton  till  the  first  of  May  (1836),  but  in  March  this  advertise- 
ment appeared  in  the  Gazette: — 

"FOR  SALE. 
"  50,000  Trees  of  the  Morus  Multicaulis,  together  with  a  quantity  of  the  GENUINE 
SEED  of  the  Chinese  Mulberry,  in  papers  sufficient  for  between  three  and  four 
thousand  plants  each." 

The  seed  sold  for  five  dollars  a  paper,  but,  notwithstanding  the  high 
price,  inside  of  a  week  orders  for  two  hundred  dollars  worth  had  been 
received.  The  trees  arrived  the  middle  of  May,  and  those  three  feet  long 
were  sold  at  from  thirty  to  thirty-five  cents  apiece  by  the  hundred. 


r 

1 

—^^u+SSm  |m 

p*p°«.",  ■ 

OLD    SILK    MILL    HOARDING    HOUSE.  VIEW    NEAR    THE    DAM. 


LILLY    PLACE. 


The  work  now  began  in  good  earnest.  The  company  decided  to  stock 
one  hundred  acres  with  engrafted  trees  that  year.  A  crop  of  corn  had 
been  raised  on  the  land  the  year  before,  this  being  regarded  as  a  neces- 
sary preparation  of  the  soil  for  the  cultivation  of  the  mulberry.  Mr. 
William  Clark  was  given  the  crop  for  the  labor  of  growing  it,  and  he  was 
now  employed  to  set  out  the  trees.  All  the  land  between  Park  street 
and  the  river,  fifteen  acres  in  Ross  Meadow,  and  the  hillside  south  of 
Pine  street  were  covered  with  cuttings  of  the  multicaulis  and  the 
Chinese  varieties.     The   European  imported  trees    were    not  replanted, 


MULBERRY    FEVER    AND    SILK    ENTERPRISE.  59 

but  were  cut  into  slips  about  six  inches  long,  and  then  set  in  the  earth. 
The  growth  was  vigorous,  and  in  the  fall  the  tops  of  the  plants  were  cut 
off,  and  set  the  ensuing  spring. 

On  the  eighth  of  June  the  company  met  and  re-elected  the  first 
board  of  officers.  Success  seemed  to  look  them  in  the  face.  The  quiet 
hamlet — "the  Warner  District" — must  have  presented  a  busy  appear- 
ance that  summer.  By  the  last  of  June  "  machines  from  Europe,  and  of 
domestic  construction,"  had  arrived,  for  reeling  and  weaving  silk,  and 
by  the  first  of  August  the  old  oil  mill  was  being  made  ready  for  the 
machinery  with  which  to  manufacture  sewing  silk. 

It  is  probable  that  this  season  Mr.  Whitmarsh  built  his  large  cocoon- 
ery on  the  Fort  Hill  estate.  It  was  two  hundred  feet  long,  twenty-six 
feet  wide,  and  two  stories  high,  and  accommodated  two  million  worms. 
The  company  this  year  had  no  raw  silk  of  their  own  production.  During 
the  early  fall  a  committee  from  Congress  came  to  Northampton  to  exam- 
ine the  company's  plantation.  Daniel  Webster,  Abbott  Lawrence,  and 
James  K.  Mills,  then  famous  for  their  advocacy  of  the  doctrine  of  pro- 
tection to  American  industries,  made  up  this  committee. 

September  13,  1833,  the  company  bought  of  Jennette  N.  Ridgeway 
the  "  wool  warehouse,"  built  by  James  Shepherd,  that  stood  near  Paul 
Strong's  tavern,  and  Mr.  Ashley  of  West  Springfield  and  a  gang  of  men 
moved  it  across  lots  to  a  spot  nearly  opposite  the  old  oil  mill,  where  it 
stands  to  this  day.  This  afterwards  became  the  "old  silk  mill  boarding 
house."  Some  machinery  was  put  into  this  building,  and  samples  of 
plain  and  figured  satins  were  woven  here.  These  Mr.  Whitmarsh  took 
to  Washington  and  presented  to  Henry  Clay,  who  was  much  gratified 
with  them  as  specimens  of  home  manufactures. 

The  fall  months  were  uneventful  ones,  and  the  excitement  cooled 
with  the  weather.  The  opening  of  the  new  year  (1837)  found  the  com- 
pany manufacturing  sewing  silk,  and  according  to  the  papers  it  was 
"  used  by  all  the  tailors  in  town."  "  Northampton  sewing  silk  "  sold 
well  in  New  York,  and  the  Gazette  said  :  "The  company  are  manufac- 
turing at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  dollars  worth  per  day  and  yet  can- 
not supply  the  demand."  In  May  Mr.  Whitmarsh  imported  from 
Europe  fifteen  thousand  dollars  worth  of  mulberry  trees,  but  owing  to 
poor  packing  lost  a  large  quantity  of  them.  More  land  on  the  meadows 
and  upland  was  set  with  trees  this  season,  making  about  one  hundred 
acres  in  all.  The  Alpine  variety  was  introduced  but  was  not  as  popular 
as  the  multicaulis.  The  company  built  this  year  a  substantial  brick 
factory,  on  a  stone  foundation,  one  hundred  and  twenty  by  forty  feet, 
and  four  stories  high.  This  building  is  now  the  Braid  Mill.  The  canal 
was  dug  from  the  dam  to  the  factory,  and  the  machinery  in  the  oil  mill 


6o 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


transferred  to  the  large  building.  A  small  house  was  built  at  the  foot 
of  the  hill,  at  the  junction  of  what  is  now  Maple  and  Nonotuck  streets. 
This  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Benson  in  Community  times,  and  some  years 
ago  was  moved  to  the  corner  of  River  road  and  Landy  avenue. 

Not  content  with  the  amount  of  land  already  theirs,  on  June  first  the 
company  bought  twenty  acres  of  Allen  Clark,  and  in  September  paid 
Luther  C.  Clark  two  thousand  dollars  for  one  hundred  acres  additional. 
Their  estate  now  embraced  the  whole  of  the  southern  and  western  por- 
tion of  the  present  village. 

The  spring  of  1838  witnessed  no  abatement  of  the  mulberry  craze, 
but  the  silk  company  was  short  of  funds.  Although  they  claimed  a 
capital  of   $100,000,  with  liberty  to  extend  to   $150,000,  it  appears  that 

only  about  $60,000 
had  been  subscribed. 
At  a  meeting  held  the 
first  of  June,  they 
voted  to  raise  $30,000 
immediately,  in  order 
to  pursue  their  oper- 
ations with  increased 
vigor.  In  June  a  ma- 
chine for  making 
watch  and  other  nar- 
row ribbons  was  put 
in  operation,  being  "  a 
new  application  of 
machinery"  as  the 
papers  stated.  During  the  fall  of  1838  the  excitement  ran  high.  The 
discussions  in  the  newspapers,  and  the  accounts  of  sales  recently  made 
at  large  profits,  had  been  too  much  for  even  the  staid  old  farmers,  and 
every  one  rushed  into  the  business,  many  without  any  knowledge  of  it. 
Small  plants  were  sold  for  fabulous  prices,  some  even  for  nearly  their 
weight  in  gold,  and  there  was  hardly  a  garden  in  Northampton  but  rejoiced 
in  these  treasures.  The  fever  had  spread  until  it  embraced  all  parts  of 
New  England  where  the  mulberry  could  be  grown.  Trees  sold  at  one, 
two,  and  three  dollars  apiece.  Later,  so  valuable  were  they  considered 
that  cuttings  a  few  inches  in  length  sold  for  between  two  and  three  dol- 
lars per  bud,  and  hothouses  were  pressed  into  service  to  supply  the 
demand,  the  ordinary  course  of  nature  being  too  slow  for  the  dealers. 

In  the  following  spring  Mr.  Whitmarsh  published  a  neat  little  book, 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pages,  on  "  Eight  Years'  Experience  and  Obser- 
vation in  the  Culture  of  the  Mulberry  Tree,  and   in  the   Care  of  the  Silk- 


FACTORY. — AFTERWARDS  "COMMUNITY   BOARDING    HOUSE." 


MULBERRY    FEVER    AND   SILK    ENTERPRISE. 


61 


worm."  It  was  printed  in  Northampton,  and,  as  all  previous  works  on 
this  subject  had  been  reprints  from  foreign  authors,  not  at  all  appli- 
cable to  the  "American  system,"  it  met  with  a  ready  sale.  His  great 
earnestness  and  evidently  sincere  convictions  regarding  the  prosperous 
future  of  the  new  industry  permeate  the  entire  volume.  The  book  treats 
of  every  detail  of  the  business  and,  fifty  years  after  the  failure  of  the 
enterprise,  it  furnishes  interesting  reading. 

L.  P.  Brockett,  M.D.,  was  in  Northampton  in  the  spring  of  1839,  an<^ 
says  that  Mr.  Whitmarsh  and  Dr.  Daniel  Stebbins  were  rejoicing  over 
the  purchase  of  a  dozen  multicaulis  cuttings,  not  more  than  two  feet 
long  and  of  the  thickness  of  a  pipe-stem,  for  twenty-five  dollars.  "They 
are  worth  sixty  dollars,"  exclaimed  the  Doctor  in  his  enthusiasm. 

On  the  first  of  May,  pursuant  to  the  state  law,  the  company  gave  notice 
that  the  amount  of  all   assessment  voted  and  actually  paid  was  $94,450, 

and     that    all     existing     debts    were 
$48,494.18.       Some    silk    vesting    was 
woven  this  year.      The  first  superin- 
tendent,  Thomas   W.   Shepherd,   had 
left,    and     Mr.     Whitmarsh     went     to 
Mansfield,   Conn.,  and,  on  August  9, 
hired     Mr.    Joseph    Conant    to    take 
charge  of  the   business.     Mr.    Conant 
was    one    of    the    first    silk    manufac- 
turers   in    the   United    States,    having 
made  silk  as  early  as  1829.     He  was 
a    man    of    character    and    of    great 
ability.     Earle  Dvvight  Swift  and  Or- 
well  S.   Chaffee  came  to  Northamp- 
ton with  Mr.  Conant.     Mr.  Whitmarsh 
soon  severed  his  connection  with  the 
company,  bought  a  building  in  North- 
ampton, later  called   the  "  Hive,"  and 
began  alone  the  manufacture  of  silk. 
The   mulberry   bubble,   now  blown   to   immense    proportions   by   the 
breath  of  the  speculators,  could  stand   the  strain   no  longer,  and  without 
a  word    of   warning  burst,  bringing   ruin   to   thousands.     The  company 
began  to  realize  that   making  silk  was   not  on  the  whole  an  easy  task  ; 
the    machinery   was   rude,  and    little  was  accomplished.      On    March  18, 
1840,  the  Gazette  printed   a  notice,  "Property  of  the   Northampton  Silk 
Company   For  Sale."      On  April  9,  the  stockholders  appointed   Talbot, 
Alsop,  Jr.,  and  Casey,  trustees,  with  directions  to  sell  or  lease  the  prop- 
erty, and,  on  May  1,  they  rented  the  estate  to  Joseph  Conant,  for  a  term 


CAPTAIN    JOSEPH    C.    CONANT. 


62  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

of  three  years  if  desired,  for  one  thousand  dollars  a  year,  said  Conant  to 
have  the  leaves  of  the  mulberry  plants  on  said  premises."  This  lease  was 
not  satisfactory,  for  the  next  year,  on  the  first  of  April,  the  estate  was  sold 
at  auction  with  the  figures  standing  at  $22,250.  It  appears  that  the  trus- 
tees above  named  were  the  purchasers.  Mr.  Conant  remained  as  lessee 
till  September  14,  1841,  when  the  property  was  bought  by  the  leaders  of 
the  future  "Community." 

LATER    ENTERPRISES    OF    MR.    WHITMARSH. 

After  leaving  the  Northampton  Silk  Company,  Mr.  Whitmarsh  had 
not  proceeded  far  in  his  new  project  at  the  "  Hive  "  when  he  went  to 
Jamaica,  led  there  by  a  reward  offered  by  the  government  for  the  suc- 
cessful establishment  of  the  culture  of  silk  on  that  island.  After  a  visit 
there  of  several  months,  he  formed  a  company  with  a  capital  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  one  half  of  which  was  taken  by 
capitalists  there,  and  the  other  half  was  assigned  to  him.  He  went  to 
London  and  disposed  of  his  stock  at  par  value. 

At  this  time  Mr.  Whitmarsh  displayed  one  of  the  noblest  traits  of  his 
character.  Having  thus  come  into  the  possession  of  ample  pecuniary 
means,  he  returned  to  Northampton  and  paid  off  his  old  debts  in  full, 
with  interest,  amounting  to  about  seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  He 
then  collected  a  company  of  thirty-five  men  and  women,  bought  horses, 
machinery,  implements,  etc.,  chartered  the  vessel  "Saxon,"  and  on  the 
sixteenth  of  November,  1840,  sailed  from  Charlestown  for  Jamaica. 
They  cleared  one  hundred  acres  and  set  twenty  acres  with  mulberry 
trees  ;  and  erected  a  blacksmith  shop,  cocoonery,  and  a  saw  and  shingle 
mill.  After  a  visit  to  this  country  Mr.  Whitmarsh  returned  to  Jamaica 
only  to  find  that  one  of  the  directors  of  the  company,  a  lawyer  by  pro- 
fession, had  had  some  difficulty  with  the  owners  of  an  icehouse  in  which 
the  silkworm  eggs  had  been  placed,  and  had  removed  them  to  a  cellar, 
the  dampness  of  which  had  spoiled  them.  This  was  a  great  blow  to  the 
enterprise,  and  in  1846  Mr.  Whitmarsh  loaded  a  small  vessel  with  tropical 
plants,  and,  accompanied  by  his  family  of  thirty  American  workmen, 
sailed  for  Boston,  with  a  view  of  opening  a  botanical  garden  there,  the 
ship  and  cargo  being  all  that  was  left  of  a  large  property.  The  proposi- 
tion, not  meeting  with  success  in  Boston,  was  abandoned.  His  next 
scheme  was  a  steam  furnace,  and  then  a  kind  of  belting,  but  both  proved 
failures,  after  sinking  thousands  of  dollars  in  trying  to  develop  them. 

Mr.  Whitmarsh  was  one  of  the  most  unobtrusive  of  men.  His  manner 
was  always  quiet,  his  habits  of  life  correct,  and  his  aim  was  to  do  justly 
and  love  mercy.  The  distinguishing  trait  in  his  character  was  his  won- 
derful hopefulness.     He  was  never  discouraged.     Though  failure  after 


MULBERRY    FEVER    AND    SILK.    ENTERPRISE. 


63 


failure  overtook  him,  he  was  still  confident  that  the  next  revolution  of 
fortune's  wheel  would  bring  him  ample  recompense  for  all  his  labors  and 
losses.  He  was  no  hypocrite  and  never  sought  to  take  advantage  of 
others.  He  possessed  an  extensive  knowledge  of  men,  and  was  a  man  of 
unusual  intelligence.  If  he  lacked  that  practical  quality  which  men  who 
achieve  greater  pecuniary  advancement  so  often  possess,  he  certainly 
deserves  the  credit  of  sowing  the  seed  from  which  sprang  the  present 
industries  of  Florence,  for  his  "Northampton  Silk  Company"  led  the 
way  for  the  Community,  and  the  Community  was  the  real  beginning  of 
the  present  village  of  Florence.  Mr.  Whitmarsh  died  in  Northampton, 
April  21,  1875. 

DAVID    LEE    AND    LYDIA    MARIA    CHILI). 

Before  closing  this  chapter  mention  should  be  made  of  two  families 
afterwards  noted  in  the  literary  world,  who  at  this  time  were  residents 
of  Florence.  While  the  mulberry  fever  was  raging,  another  enterprise 
was  also  being  discussed,  namely,  the  making  of  sugar  from  beets.  Mr. 
Child  had  been  in  France,  where 
the  culture  of  the  beet  for  this 
purpose  was  quite  extensive, 
and,  on  returning  in  the  spring 
of  1S38,  he  came  to  Northamp- 
ton, determined  to  make  sugar 
from  beet  roots.  The  first  year 
he  cultivated  a  few  acres,  and  in 
1840  he  invented  a  "  beet  cutter" 
and    an    improved    process    for 

obtaining  the  sugar.  Soon  after  he  bought  a  farm  on  the  road  to  East- 
hampton,  near  the  peat  swamps,  and  here  Mrs.  Child  wrote  some  of  her 
works.  Mr.  Child  had  twenty  acres  of  sugar  beets  planted  at  the  "Silk 
Factory  Farm,"  and  some  machinery  was  put  in  the  oil  mill.  Another 
of  his  schemes  was  to  press  peat  that  it  might  be  used  for  fuel.  Although 
he  spent  considerable  money  on  both  these  enterprises,  neither  proved 
successful,  and  about  1847   Mr.  Child  moved  from  town. 

Mrs.  Child  was  not  pleased  with  this  region.  In  her  "  Letters  "  she 
says  :  "  I  have  never  been  so  discouraged  about  abolition  as  since  we 
came  into  this  iron  bound  valley  of  the  Connecticut."  And  again  :  "  If  I 
were  to  choose  my  home,  I  certainly  would  not  place  it  in  the  valley  of 
the  Connecticut.  It  is  true,  the  river  is  broad  and  clear,  the  hills  majes- 
tic, and  the  whole  aspect  of  outward  nature  most  lordly.  But,  oh  !  the 
narrowness,  the  bigotry  of  man  !  "  At  this  time  the  influence  of  Jonathan 
Edwards  was  still  felt,  and  the  old  time  theological  spirit  had  not  been 
supplanted  by  the  broader  religious  toleration  of  to-day. 


CHILD    PLACE   ON    EASTHAMPTON    ROAD. 


64 


HISTORV    OF    FLORENCE. 


DR.    JOSIAH    GILBERT    HOLLAND. 

At  about  this  time  (1835-40)  this  well  known  author  was  a  resident  of 
Florence.  Soon  after  1836  his  father,  Harrison  Holland,  moved  from 
Granby  to  Northampton,  and  seems  to  have  been  employed  in  the  silk 
mill.  Josiah  was  then  twenty-three  years  old.  He  did  not  long  remain 
here,  for  in  1841  he  purchased  a  "  daguerreotype  apparatus,"  and  had 
rooms  at  the  "canal  building"  in  the  center,  where  he  "executed  minia- 
ture likenesses  by  this  interesting  process."  In  1843  he  taught  writing, 
having  his  schoolroom  at  the  Gazette  office.  According  to  his  advertise- 
ment "All  pupils  are  required  to  furnish  their  own  lights." 

Harrison  Holland  spent  several  years  in  Florence,  living  in  at  least 
three  different  houses.  His  first  home,  as  far  as  ascertained,  was  in  one  of 
the  small  houses  west  of  the  present  Brush  Factory  bridge,  on  the  road  to 
West  Farms.  For  several  years  he  lived  in  the  William  Warner  (Polly 
Bosworth)  house,  and  then  in  the  Paul  Strong  tavern.  While  living  in 
the  latter  house  two  of  his  daughters  died,  Clarissa,  February  24,  and 
Lucretia  B.,  July  13,  1842.  Later  the  father  moved  to  the  small  cottage 
built  by  Jewett,  that  stands  back  of  Leonard's  Silk  Mill  boarding  house  ; 
his  son  Harvey  at  this  time  having  an  interest  in  these  mills.  Harvey 
built  and  lived  in  the  house  opposite  the  mill,  which  was  remodeled  a 
few  years  ago  by  the  late  Mr.  John  N.  Leonard.  Harrison  Holland  died 
in  December,  1848,  aged  sixty-four.  His  inventive  turn  of  mind  made 
him  a  thorough  machinist,  but  he  was  unfortunate  in  his  dealings  with 
men  and  never  realized  any  reward  for  the  machines  he  invented. 


JEWETT    PLACE — WHERE   THE    HOLLANDS    LIVED. 


.,1.4.         JL 


VIEW    SOUTHEAST    V 


TRAWDEKRY    HILL 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


NORTHAMPTON  ASSOCIATION  OF  EDUCATION  AND  INDUSTRY. 

The  Spirit  of  the  Times. — The  Transcendental  Movement. — Kindred  Associa- 
tions, Brook  Farm  and  Hopedale. —  The  Projectors  ok  the  Northampton 
Association. — Why  Florence  Was  Selected  as  the  Site  of  the  New  Ven- 
ture.— The  Leaders  Buy  the  Silk  Company's  Property. — The  Preliminary 
Circular. —  Organization. —  Constitution  and  By-Laws. — Items  from  the 
Secretary's  Book. 

A  few  months  of  peace  and  quiet  followed  the  crisis  of  the  mulberry- 
fever  and  the  failure  of  the  silk  company.  The  inhabitants  of  this  little 
hamlet  were  content  to  till  their  farms  without  indulging  in  speculative 
ventures,  and  therefore  they  inwardly  rejoiced  when  the  silk  company's 
project  was  abandoned.  This  feeling  of  satisfaction  was  not  of  long  dura- 
tion, however,  for  soon  a  number  of  people,  with  peculiar  ideas,  bought 
the  silk  company's  estate  and  came  to  Florence  determined  to  establish 
a  new  social  order,  in  accordance  with  the  most  advanced  ideas  of  the 
time.  Social  innovations  are  always  regarded  with  disfavor  until  they 
have  justified  themselves,  and  these  earnest  men  and  women  encountered 
many  obstacles  in  their  effort  to  advance  the  cause  of  the  "  brotherhood 
of  man." 

Before  proceeding  to  study  the  new  institution,  which  its  founders 
named  the  "  Northampton  Association  of  Education  and  Industry,"  let 
us  consider  briefly  the  spirit  of  the  times  that  prompted  this  experiment. 
The  years  just  preceding  the  beginning  of  their  undertaking  had  been 
years  of  active  agitation  on  the  part  of  the  socialists.  Projects  of  radi- 
cal social  reform  filled  the  air.  In  the  words  of  John  Morley  :  "  A  great 
wave  of  humanity,  of  benevolence,  of  desire  for  improvement, — a  great 
wave  of  social  sentiment,  in  short, — poured  itself  among  all  who  had 
the  faculty  of  large  and  disinterested  thinking."  Among  the  men  who 
were  representatives  of  the  vital  movement  in  the  direction  of  spiritual 


66  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

supernaturalism  may  be  mentioned  Dr.  Pusey  and  Dr.  Newman.  The 
Church  of  England  was  the  target  for  the  criticism  of  Thomas  Arnold 
and  F.  D.  Maurice,  who  were  trying  to  broaden  it  so  that  "  it  might 
embrace  heaven  and  earth,  faith  and  philosophy,  creed  and  criticism." 
Carlyle's  voice  was  heard  above  the  uproar,  crying  against  shams  in 
religion  and  politics.  But  these  were  not  the  only  ones  who  were  clam- 
oring for  a  better  state  of  society.  Dickens  in  his  novels  was  vividly 
portraying  the  wrongs  of  the  established  order  ;  Kingsley  was  "  stirring 
the  caldron  of  social  discontent  "  ;  while  George  Combe,  Cobden,  John 
Bright,  and  Daniel  O'Connell  gave  their  energies  to  the  cause  of  progress. 
The  teachings  of  Robert  Owen  were  everywhere  discussed.  Not  England 
and  France  alone,  but  all  Europe  was  invaded  by  this  spirit  of  reform. 
In  speaking  of  the  twenty  years  following  1820  Emerson  says:  "It 
seemed  a  war  between  intellect  and  affection  ;  a  crack  in  nature,  which 
split  every  church  in  Christendom  into  Papal  and  Protestant  ;  Calvinism 
into  Old  and  New  Schools  ;  Quakerism  into  Old  and  New  ;  brought  new 
divisions  in  politics  ;  as  the  new  conscience  touching  temperance  and 
slavery." 

The  influence  exerted  by  this  great  movement  for  reform  was  felt  in 
the  United  States,  and  the  Americans,  with  less  reverence  for  old  cus- 
toms and  precedents  than  the  English,  soon  struck  out  on  unbroken 
ground  and  resolved  to  put  to  a  practical  test  the  principles  and  theories 
of  these  reformers.  Owen's  scheme  known  as  the  "  New  Harmony 
Settlement"  may  be  said  to  have  reached  its  greatest  popularity  in  1826. 
Before  1842,  through  the  indefatigable  zeal  of  Albert  Brisbane  and  Horace 
Greeley,  the  writings  of  Fourier  were  interpreted  to  this  country. 
Eleven  experiments  followed  Owen's,  and  no  less  than  thirty-four  were 
started  from  the  influence  exerted  by  Fourier's  teachings.  Noyes,  in  his 
"  History  of  American  Socialisms,"  says  that  of  these  forty-five  Com- 
munities or  Phalanxes,  "  the  majority  perished  within  a  year  or  two  of 
their  formation  ;  many  of  them  did  not  last  more  than  a  few  months, 
and  only  three  survived  for  a  period  exceeding  five  years." 

The  Northampton  Association  of  Education  and  Industry  seems  to 
have  had  its  origin  in  the  movement  known  as  "  transcendentalism," 
which  sprang  up  soon  after  1836,  and  enlisted  in  its  interest  a  company 
of  gifted  men  and  women,  among  whom  were  Margaret  Fuller,  George 
Ripley,  Samuel  Robbins,  John  S.  Dwight,  Warren  Burton,  Dr.  Convers 
Francis,  Theodore  Parker,  Rev.  Adin  Ballou,  Dr.  Hedge,  Orestes  Augus- 
tus Brownson,  James  Freeman  Clark,  and  William  H.  Channing.  From 
the  informal  afternoon  meetings  which  these  friends  of  progress  held  at 
one  another's  houses  in  Boston,  where  social  topics  were  discussed,  grew 
the    more  serious   thought,  which   led   to  the  forming  of  an   association. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


67 


There  was  some  difficulty  in  securing  an  agreement  on  principles  upon 
which  to  lay  a  foundation.     Mr.  Ballou  believed  that  success  could  only 
be  obtained  by  an  avowal  of  convictions  on  the  part  of  those  uniting,  while 
Mr.  Ripley  wished  to  avoid  the  least  appearance  of  coercion,  and  to  rely 
wholly  on  the  fraternal  spirit  to  bind  the  members  together.     In  conse- 
quence of  this  difference  of  opinion  a 
friendly  separation   took    place  ;    Mr. 
Ballou   and   a   band   of    practical    re- 
formers   established     themselves     at 
Hopedale,   Worcester  county,   Massa- 
chusetts,    where     they    founded    the 
"  Hopedale  Community,"    while    Mr. 
Ripley  and   his  friends  in  the  spring 
of  1841  proceeded   to  West  Roxbury, 
where    they    organized     the    "  Brook 
Farm    Institute    of     Agriculture    and 
Education."     Margaret  Fuller,    Haw- 
thorne, Charles  Anderson   Dana,  and 
others  were  there,  and,  as  they  after- 
wards became  famous  in  the  literary 
world,    Brook    Farm    is  perhaps    the 
most  widely  known  of  the  contempo- 
rary associations. 

While  these  leaders  of  thought  in  Boston  were  busy  discussing  tran- 
scendentalism and  the  prospects  of  forming  associations,  there  were  others 
who  were  equally  on  the  alert  to  receive,  weigh,  and  consider  the  ideas 
advanced  at  their  meetings.  Among  these  were  William  Adam,  David 
Mack,  George  W.  Benson,  and  Samuel  L.  Hill.  Mr.  Adam  was  a  native 
of  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  a  graduate  of  its  famous  University. 
At  this  time  he  was  professor  of  Oriental  languages  at  Harvard  Univer- 
sity, and  living  so  near  Boston  naturally  felt  the  influence  of  the  tran- 
scendental movement.  David  Mack  was  born  in  Middlefield,  Mass.,  in 
1803.  Like  Mr.  Adam  he  was  at  this  time  in  Cambridge,  having  only  a 
few  years  previous  opened  a  day  and  boarding  school  for  young  ladies  in 
that  town.  He  was  so  impressed  with  the  spirit  of  reform  that,  when 
Brook  Farm  was  started  in  the  spring  of  1841,  he  became  an  associate 
member.  Mr.  Benson  was  from  Brooklyn,  Connecticut.  Before  his 
father's  death  he  was  engaged  in  the  wholesale  leather  business,  and  just 
before  coming  to  Northampton  was  in  charge  of  two  farms,  one  in 
Brooklyn  and  one  in  Providence.  William  Lloyd  Garrison  had  marriecl 
Mr.  Benson's  sister,  and  this  union  naturally  brought  Mr.  Benson -in 
touch  with  the  more  advanced  thinkers  of  the  time.     Samuel  L.  Hill  was 


DAVID    MACK. 


68 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


an  overseer  in  a  Willimantic  cotton  factory,  and  had  kept  pace  with  the 
world's  thought  through  contact  with  Garrison's  Liberator  and  corre- 
spondence with  the  Boston  transcendentalists.  It  is  not  known  which 
of  these  four  men  was  the  first  to  broach  the  subject  of  starting  a  Com- 
munity. They  had  been  in  correspondence  with  one  another  previous  to 
the  spring  of  1841. 

In  all  probability  the  failure  of  the  silk  company  first  brought  North- 
ampton to  the  notice  of  the  four  leaders.  Whitmarsh's  silk  enterprise 
had  been  the  subject  of  many  an  article  in  the  New  England  newspapers, 
and  when  the  property  was  advertised  for  sale  it  was  natural  that  it 
should  suggest  an  excellent  opportunity  to  obtain  for  a  very  small  sum 
a  valuable  property,  well  suited Ito 'the  needs  of  the  project.  Mr.  Hill 
had  known  Mr.  Conant  while  the  latter  was  in  Mansfield  (Mr.  Conant 
was  related  to  Mr.  Hill  by  marriage)  and  it  is  evident  that  Mr.  Hill  was 
the  prime  mover  in  selecting  Florence  as  the  site  for  the  experiment. 
It  seems  that  the  plans  for  organization  had  been  matured  before  the 
spring  of   1841,  for  at  this  time   Mr.  Hill   moved    from   Willimantic  and 

took  up  his  residence  in  "  Broughton's 
Meadows."  During  the  summer  it  is 
presumed  that  Messrs.  Benson,  Adam, 
and  Mack  visited  Florence  to  look 
over  the  ground  and  to  consult  Mr. 
Conant,  who  had  a  lease  of  the  silk 
property,  with  reference  to  his  joining 
the  proposed  association  and  giving  it 
his  support. 

On  the  14th  of  September,  1841, 
the  trustees  of  the  defunct  Northamp- 
ton Silk  Company,  for  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars,  sold  the  estate  to  Joseph 
Conant  of  Northampton,  Samuel  L. 
Hill  of  Windham  (Willimantic),  Con- 
necticut, William  Coe  and  George  W. 
Benson,  both  of  Brooklyn,  Connecti- 
cut. 

The  next  step  was  to  draw  up  the 
declaration  of  principles  and  articles  of  association,  which  was  probably 
done  by  Prof.  Adam  and  David  Mack,  and  on  the  fifteenth  of  February, 
1842,  the  following  preliminary  circular,  stating  the  object  and  aim  of 
the  proposed  association,  was  sent  out.  It  was  printed  on  two  sides  of 
an  eight  by  ten  inch  sheet,  and  space  was  left  at  the  close  for  the  names 
of  subscribers  for  shares  in  the  stock  company. 


GEORGE  W.   BENSON. 
From  daguerreotype  taken  about  1845. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OK    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY.  69 


PRELIMINARY  CIRCULAR. 

When  existing  institutions  arc  found  inadequate  to  promote  the  further 
progress  of  society,  it  becomes  the  duty  of  those  who  perceive  the  necessity  of 
reform,  to  associate  together  upon  principles,  in  their  opinion,  the  best  calculated 
to  fulfill  the  designs  of  God  in  placing  man  in  this  life.  Among  those  designs 
are  believed  to  be  the  progressive  culture  and  high  development  of  all  the  pow- 
ers and  faculties  of  our  nature;  the  union  of  spiritual,  intellectual,  and  practical 
attainments  ;  the  equality  of  rights  and  rank  for  all,  except  that  those  stations 
and  pursuits  should  be  regarded  as  most  honorable  which  promote  self-conquest 
and  the  most  expansive  philanthropy;  and  the  practical  recognition  of  the 
responsibility  of  every  individual  to  God  -^ 

alone   in  all   his   pursuits.     These  designs      f^  ,.        /  rW   \  n  1     .  -, 

of  God  demand  the  co-operation  of  man      MWa^-  ■    "^  ' 

as   an    essential    condition,    but    existing 

institutions  of  education  and  business  do  not  afford  it,  inasmuch  as  they  fail  to 
provide  for  the  full  development  of  the  faculties  of  any  class  or  individual  ;  rec- 
ognize invidious  distinctions,  assigning  the  highest  rank  for  other  reasons  than 
moral  worth  ;  establish  separate  and  conflicting  action  for  various  kinds  and 
degrees  of  culture,  skill,  and  labor;  forbid  such  freedom  of  thinking  and  acting 
as  is  required  by  personal  accountability;  sever  intellectual  culture  from  action 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  it  barren  and  even  subversive  of  moral  principle; 
and  separate  labor  from  speculative  pursuits  so  as  to  make  it  drudgery,  thus 
causing  the  degradation  of  a  necessary  means  of  education,  health,  and  happi- 
ness. The  following  Articles  of  Association  are  proposed,  as  a  means  of  reduc- 
ing to  practice  the  foregoing  principles  : — 

Article  I.  The  name  and  style  of  this  association  shall  be  The  Northamp- 
ton Association  of  Education  and  Industry. 

Art.  II.  The  management  of  the  affairs  and  undertakings  of  this  Association 
shall  be  conducted  by  two  distinct  companies:  1st,  a  Stock  Company;  2d,  an 
Industrial  Association. 

Art.  III.  The  Stock  Company  shall  be  first  formed  by  obtaining  a  subscrip- 
tion of  $100,000,  to  be  paid  in  money  or  some  equivalent  at  the  option  of  the 
Stock  Directors.  As  soon  as  550,000  are  secured  by 'binding  subscriptions,  $30,000 
of  which,  at  least,  shall  be  paid  by  the  first  of  April  next,  the  company  shall  be 
organized  by  choosing  a  President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who  together  shall, 
as  Trustees,  hold  all  the  property  of  the  Association  in  trust,  until  their  successors 
shall  be  appointed  by  the  Company. 

Art.  IV.  The  President  and  Secretary  shall  sign  all  contracts  and  papers 
binding  the  Company,  and  the  Treasurer  shall  give  security  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  Company  for  the  safe  keeping  of  its  money  and  papers  ;  but  the  Trustees 
shall  not  have  power  to  buy  or  sell,  as  agents  of  the  Company,  on  credit. 

Art.  V.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  book  in  which  copies  of  all  the  shares 
shall  be  entered,  with  the  names  of  their  owners,  and  all  interest  and  dividends 
due  thereon.  No  transfer  of  stock  shall  be  valid  unless  indorsed  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  Secretary  ;  and  a  copy  of  every  transfer  shall  be  entered  on  the  Secre- 


7° 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


tary's  book.     But  no  transfer  shall  be  authorized  for  any  person  indebted  to  the 
Association  until  security  be  given  for  the  payment  of  his  debt. 

Art.  VI.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  account  of  all  the  property,  contracts 
and  obligations  of  the  Company,  and  of  the  obligations  and  money  transactions 
of  each  member  with  the  Company  ;  and  at  suitable  times  those  accounts  may  be 
inspected  by  any  member  of  the  Company. 

Art.  VII.  The  Secretary  shall  make  annually  an  inventory  of  all  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Association,  an  adjusted  statement  of  its  pecuniary  condition,  and  a 
full  settlement  of  its  transactions  with  other  parties  and  with  each  member  of 
the  Company ;  so  that  at  the  beginning  of  each  year  new  accounts  may  be 
opened. 

Art.  VIII.  New  stock  may  be  raised  at  any  time  and  to  any  amount  deter- 
mined by  a  vote  of 
two-thirds  of  the 
stockholders. 

Art.  IX.  Shares 
shall  be  for  Sioo 
each,  negotiable 
under  the  restric- 
tions of  the  fifth 
Article,  and  shall 
be  entitled  to  an- 
nual interest  not 
exceeding  six  per 
cent. ;  but  interest 
shall  not  be  pay- 
able under  four 
years,  when  the  an- 
nual interest  and 
the  interest  for  the 
four  years  then  due 
may  be  paid,  or  the 
arrears  may  be  equally  divided  between  the  next  four  years,  at  the  option  of  the 
Company. 

Art.  X.  Interest  or  dividends  of  profits  may  be  paid  in  stock  or  in  cash,  at 
the  option  of  the  stockholder  ;  but  the  Company  shall  not  be  obliged  to  pay  cash, 
unless  previous  notice  be  given  to  the  Secretary  thirty  days  before  the  payment 
becomes  due. 

Art.  XI.  In  settling  with  individual  members,  each  shall  be  charged  with 
rent  of  apartments  furnished  by  the  Stock  Company  at  a  reasonable  rate,  and 
with  supplies  furnished  by  the  Association  at  cost. 

ART.  XII.  In  stock  transactions,  every  share  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote, 
provided  that  no  one  proprietor  shall  be  entitled  to  more  than  ten  votes.  In  the 
absence  of  stockholders,  their  shares  may  be  represented   by  proxies. 

Art.  XIII.  Every  certificate  of  stock  shall  contain  a  condition  providing  that 
shares  owned  by  persons  not  members  of  the  Industrial  Association  may  be  bought 


MEADOW   STREET    BRIDGE    IN    WINTER. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OK    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY.  7 1 

11.  upon  payment  of  principal  and  interest,  by  members  of  the  Association,  when 
notice  of  such  intention  shall  be  given  thirty  days  before  the  annual  interest 
becomes  due. 

Art.  XIV.  In  making  the  annual  settlement,  the  disbursements  shall  be 
made  in  the  following  order:  1st,  expenses  of  stock  transactions  and  manage- 
ment, including  labor;  2d,  expenses  of  supporting  members  of  the  Industrial 
Association  unable  to  earn  a  support,  the  property  of  such  members  in  the  stock 
account  being  first  applied  as  far  as  it  will  go;  3d,  six  per  cent,  on  all  stock  ac- 
tually paid  in.  The  balance  shall  be  divided  among  the  members  of  the  Indus- 
trial Association  in  proportion  to  their  several  services  in  labor  and  talent  or  skill, 
to  be  estimated  by  the  books  and  reports  of  the  Leaders  of  Divisions  and 
Subdivisions,  two-thirds  of  said  balance  being  awarded  to  labor,  and  one-third 
to  skill. 

Art.  XV.  The  Stock  Directors  shall  determine  in  what  manner  their  funds 
shall  be  invested,  and  shall  make  such  appropriations  for  carrying  on  the  differ- 
ent branches  of  business  as  they  shall  judge  best,  those  branches  being  most 
favored  that  are  necessary  and  less  attractive.  They  may  always  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Industrial  Association  and  give  their 
advice,  but  shall  not  be  allowed  to  vote. 

Art.  XVI.  Any  member  expelled  or  choosing  to  withdraw,  shall  receive  all 
that  is  his  due  on  the  stock  account,  at  the  next  annual  settlement,  if  he  give 
ninety  days'  previous  notice,  and  before  receiving  the  same  shall  sign  a  full 
discharge  of  all  claims  against  the  Company  or  the  Association. 

Art.  XVII.  The  Stock  Company  when  duly  organized  shall  elect  twenty 
families  to  commence  the  Industrial  Association.  Those  twenty  families,  together 
with  such  families  and  individuals  as  shall  be  admitted  members,  shall  elect  all 
subsequent  members,  and  may  expel  an  unworthy  member. 

Art.  XVIII.  The  Industrial  Association  shall  be  organized  by  choosing  a 
Director  for  each  branch  of  employment  established  by  the  Association,  with  the 
advice  of  the  Stock  Trustees.  Such  Directors  shall  form  a  Board,  who  shall  see 
that  suitable  employment  for  all  the  members  shall  always  be  provided  ;  shall  be 
arbitrators  to  settle  all  difficulties  between  the  Divisions  or  Subdivisions,  or 
between  individuals,  at  the  expense  of  the  party  by  them  decided  to  be  in  the 

Autograph  written  Oct.  15,  1843.  Autograph  written  March  21,  1846. 

wrong,  such  expense  being  only  the  value  of  time,  rooms,  etc.,  caused  by  the 
arbitration  ;  and  shall  fix  the  rate  of  compensation  for  the  various  employments 
and  ages,  awarding  higher  compensation  to  the  most  necessary  and  disagreeable 
rather  than  to  the  most  productive.  They  shall  manage  the  purchase  of  mate- 
rials and  goods  for  the  Association  and  for  individuals,  and  the  sale  of  articles 
produced  or  manufactured  by  the  Association,  but  they  shall  never  buy  or  sell  on 
credit. 

Art.   XIX.      Each   branch  of   employment  shall  be    prosecuted  by  such  as 


72 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


choose  it,  who  shall  form  a  class,  consisting  of  as  many  Divisions  as  the  Directors 
shall  determine;  each  Division  shall  choose  a  Leader  who  shall  determine  the 
number  of  Subdivisions  ;  and  each  Subdivision  shall  choose  its  Leader,  who  shall 
keep  an  account  of  the  labor  and  skill  of  each  member  of  his  Subdivision  at  each 
time  of  meeting,  and  shall  report  the  progress  of  his  undertaking  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  annually  and  as  often  as  necessary.  All  the  Leaders  of  Subdivisions 
I  shall  form  a  Committee  for 

consultation  concerning 
the  best  ways  and  means 
of  managing  the  business 
of  their  Division. 

Art.  XX.  Each  Sub- 
division shall  determine 
the  manner  in  which  their 
employment  shall  be  per- 
formed, shall  assign  differ- 
ent portions  to  individuals 
according  to  their  quali- 
fications, and  shall  admit 
new  members,  who  may  be 
qualified,  upon  their  appli- 
cation. 

Art.  XXI.  Each  Sub- 
division shall,  as  far  as 
practicable,  consist  of  dif- 
ferent sexes  and  ages,  so 
that  the  heavier  parts  may  be  performed  by  the  stronger  ;  the  lighter,  by  the 
more  delicate  individuals. 

Art.  XXII.  No  charge  shall  be  made  to  any  member  of  the  Association  or 
his  family  for  religious  or  other  instruction,  for  medical  attendance  or  nursing 
by  members  of  the  Association,  or  for  the  use  of  baths,  public  rooms,  or  what- 
ever is  provided  for  the  general  use  and  benefit,  unless  used  for  some  private  or 
particular  purpose. 

Art.  XXIII.  Every  man,  woman,  and  child  above  the  age  of  five  years  shall 
have  a  separate  account  with  the  Association,  and  shall  have  a  separate  and  dis- 
tinct interest.  The  expenses  and  the  compensation  of  children  shall  be  so 
arranged  that  the  profits  of  their  industry  shall  refund  the  cost  of  their  support, 
by  the  time  they  become  admissible  as  members  of  the  Association. 

Art.  XXIV.  This  Association  and  any  of  its  Boards  or  Committees  may 
establish  such  By-laws  not  inconsistent  with  the  spirit  and  intention  of  this 
Declaration  and  of  these  Articles,  as  they  may  think  proper,  from  time  to  time. 
Art.  XXV.  Any  of  these  Articles  may  be  altered  at  a  regular  meeting  of 
the  Association,  by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  ;  provided  notice  of 
the  proposed  alteration  shall  be  given  in  the  manner  to  be  prescribed  in  the 
By-laws. 


"  Where  sprawling  frogs,  in  loveless  key, 
Sing  on  and  on  incessantly." 

—James  Whitcomb  Riley. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY.  73 

Broughton  Meadows,  Northampton,  February  15,  1842. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  owners  oi  the  property  known  as  the  Northampton  Silk 
Factory  Estate,  held  this  15th  day  of  February,  1X42.  foseph  Conant  was  voted 
President,  and  William  Adam,  Secretary.     Whereupon,  it  was  unanimously 

Resolved,  That,  approving  of  the  principles  and  objects  developed  in  the 
preceding  Declaration  and  Articles  of  Association,  we,  the  owners  of  the  afore- 
said Estate,  consisting  of  about  four  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land;  six 
dwelling  houses;  a  large  brick  factory,  nearly  new,  four  stories  high,  measuring 
one  hundred  and  twenty  by  forty  feet,  with  water-wheel,  gear,  and  shafting  fit 
for  operation,  and  situated  on  a  durable  stream  of  water  called  Mill  River,  hav- 
ing from  twenty-seven  to  twenty-nine  feet  fall;  a  dye-house,  with  necessary 
apparatus  ;  a  wooden  building  about  thirty  feet  square,  formerly  used  for  manu- 
facturing purposes,  with  water-wheel,  in  good  condition;  a  saw-mill;  a  Ray- 
mond's shingle  mill,  with  patent  right  secured  for  the  town  of  Northampton, 
capable  of  cutting  ten  thousand  shingles  per  hour;  a  planing  machine  for  plan- 
ing and  jointing  boards,  planks,  and  timber  ;  turning  lathes,  circular  saws,  etc., 
&c,  together  with  machinery  in  the  factory  adapted  to  the  manufacture  of  silk, 
and  sundry  other  articles  of  personal  property  :  also  a  lot  of  pine  timber,  con- 
taining about  fifty  acres,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  saw-mill :  —  the  whole 
estimated  to  be  worth  about  thirty  thousand  dollars, —  are  willing  and  ready  to 
place  it  at  the  disposal  of  the  projected  Northampton  Association  of  Education 
and  Industry,  at  a  fair  valuation,  whenever  fifty  thousand  dollars  of  stock  shall 
be  subscribed,  and  thirty  thousand  dollars  paid  up,  as  specified  in  the  Articles 
already  referred  to. 
[Signed] 

Secretary.  President. 

In  conformity  to  the  preceding  Declaration  of  Sentiments  and  Articles  of 
Association,  and  in  consideration  of  the  foregoing  proceedings  of  the  proprietors 
of  the  Northampton  Silk  Company  Estate,  We,  the  undersigned,  do  severally 
subscribe  to  the  Stock  Company  therein  set  forth  the  number  of  shares  set 
against  our  names,  the  amount  of  which  we  promise  to  pay  as  herein  specified 
to  the  Treasurer  of  said  Company  ;  the  said  Stock  property  to  be  forever  holden 
and  managed  in  all  respects  according  to  the  principles  and  provisions  of  the 
aforesaid  Declaration  and  Articles. 

Organization. — The  circular  had  the  desired  effect,  awakening  an 
active  interest  in  the  new  venture  especially  in  this  neighborhood,  and 
by  the  first  of  April  the  amount  of  stock  set  forth  in  the  circular  as 
necessary  for  organization  had  been  subscribed.  The  charter  members 
were  the  four  leaders,  Adam,  Benson,  Mack,  and  Hill,  together  with 
Joseph   Conant  ;    Samuel    Brooks  from    Hadley,  Samuel    Bottum    from 


74 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Mansfield,  Connecticut,  Erasmus  D.  Hudson  from  Bloomfield,  Connecti- 
cut, Hall  Judd  from  Northampton,  Theodore  Scarborough  from  Brook- 
lyn, Connecticut,  Earle  Dvvight  Swift  and  Hiram  Wells  from  Mansfield, 
Connecticut.  The  first  item  in  the  "Journal  of  the  Northampton 
Association  of  Education  and  Industry  "  is  : — 

At  a  meeting  held  in  Broughton's  Meadows,  Northampton,  Mass.,  this 
eighth  of  April  (Friday),  1842,  present  Joseph  Conant,  Erasmus  D.  Hudson,  G. 
W.  Benson,  Theodore  Scarborough,  Hiram  Wells,  E.  D.  Swift,  William  Adam. 
The  following  preamble,  principles,  and  regulations  were  read,  discussed,  and 
adopted. 

CONSTITUTION  AND  BY-LAWS. 

It  is  impossible  to  survey  the  present  condition  of  the  world,  the  institutions 
of  society,  the  general  character  of  mankind,  and  their  prevailing  pursuits  and 
tendencies,  without  perceiving  the  great  evils  that  afflict  humanity,  and  recog- 
nizing many  of  them  as  the  direct  consequences  of  existing  social  arrangements. 
Life  is  with  some  a  mere  round  of  frivolous  occupations  or  vicious  enjoy- 
ments, with  most  a  hard  struggle  for  the  bare  means  of  subsistence.  The  former 
are  exempted  from  productive  labour  whiie  they  enjoy  its  fruits  :  upon  the  latter 

it  is  imposed  as  a  task  with  unreasonable 
severity,  and  with  inadequate  compensa- 
tion. The  one  class  is  tempted  to  self- 
indulgence,  pride,  and  oppression  :  the 
other  is  debased  by  ignorance  and  crime, 
by  the  conflict  of  passions  and  interests, 
by  moral  pollution,  and  by  positive  want 
and  starvation. 

The  governments  of  the  world  are  sys- 
tematically warlike  in  their  constitution 
and  spirit,  in  the  measures  they  adopt,  and 
in  the  means  they  employ  to  establish  and 
support  their  power  and  to  redress  their 
real  and  alleged  grievances,  without  regard 
to  truth,  justice,  or  humanity;  and  politi- 
cal parties  are  notoriously  and  character- 
istically destitute  of  all  principle  except 
the  love  of  place,  and  the  influence  and  emoluments  which  it  bestows,  with- 
out consideration  for  the  true  advancement  of  society. 

Religion,  whose  essence  is  perfect  spiritual  liberty  and  universal  benevolence, 
is  prostituted  into  a  device  for  tyrannizing  over  the  minds  of  men  by  arraying 
them  into  hostile  sects,  by  substituting  audible  and  visible  forms  for  the  inward 
power  of  truth  and  goodness,  and  by  rendering  the  superstitious  fear  and  irre- 
sponsible dictation  of  men  paramount  to  the  veneration  and  authority  that 
belong  only  to  God. 

For  these  evils,  viz.,  extreme  ignorance  and  poverty  in  immediate  juxtapo- 
sition with  the  most  insolent   licentiousness  ;  adverse  and   contending  interests  ; 


OUT    KOR    A    RIDE. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY'. 


75 


war.  slavery,  party-corruption,  and    selfishness;   sectarian    exclusiveness    and 

spiritual  tyranny,  society  as  at  present  constituted  affords  no  remedy.  On  the 
contrary,  it  has  sprung  out  of  these  evils,  is  maintained  by  them,  and  has  a  direct 
tendency  to  reproduce  them  in  a  constantly  increasing  progression  ;  and  the 
human  mind  is  driven  to  the  conclusion  either  that  the  Infinitely  Wise  and 
Benevolent  Creator  of  the  world  designed  to  produce  a  state  of  things  subver- 
sive of  moral  goodness  and  destructive  to  human  happiness,  which  is  a  contra- 
diction in  terms;  or  that  man,  necessarily  imperfect  and  therefore  liable  to  err, 


"LOVERS'    LANE" — NORTH    END. 


has  mistaken  his  path  by  neglecting  the  light  which  Nature  and  Religion  were 
intended  to  afford  for  the  attainment  of  Truth  and  Righteousness,  Purity  and 
Freedom. 

No  believer  in  God  can  doubt  that  it  is  not  He  who  has  failed  in  his  purpose,  but 
man  who  has  wandered  from  his  true  course,  and  after  the  perception  of  this  truth 
and  of  the  insufficiency  of  existing  institutions  to  correct  the  manifold  evils  of 
society  and  promote  its  further  progress,  it  is  the  duty  of  all  to  endeavour  to  dis- 
cover and  to  adopt  purer  and  more  salutary  principles,  and  to  apply  them  individ- 
ually and  collectively  to  the  regulation  of  their  conduct  in  life.  The  vices  of  the 
present  form  and  practices  of  civilization  are  so  gross  and  palpable  that  no 
apology  is  required  for  the  honest  attempt  to  escape  from  them,  even  although 
it  should  not  be  accompanied  with  the  pretense  of  peculiar  wisdom  and  virtue 
and  should  not  be  followed  by  the  complete  success  which  is  both  desirable  and 
attainable.  The  following  principles  indicating  dangers  to  be  avoided,  duties  to 
be  performed,  and  rights  to  be  maintained,  are  adopted  as  a  bond  of  union  and 
basis  of  co-operation  : 

I.  Productive  labour  is  the  duty  of  every  human  being,  and  every  labourer 
has  the  exclusive  right  of  enjoying  and  disposing  of  the  fruits  of  his  labour. 

II.  The  opportunity  of  self-improvement  in  all  knowledge  is  the  right  of 
every  human  being. 


76 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


III.  It  is  the  right  of  every  human  being  to  express  the  dictates  of  his  con- 
science on  religious  and  all  other  subjects,  and  to  worship  God  under  any  form 
or  in  any  manner  agreeable  to  his  convictions  of  duty,  not  interfering  with  the 
equal  rights  of  others. 

IV.  Fair  argument  is  the  only  legitimate  means  of  controlling  the  opinions 
or  belief  of  another,  and  no  praise  or  blame,  no  merit  or  demerit,  no  reward  or 
punishment,  ought  to  be  awarded  for  any  opinions  or  belief  for  which  every 
human  being  is  responsible  to  God  alone. 

V.  The  rights  of  all  are  equal  without  distinction  of  sex,  color,  or  condition, 
sect  or  religion. 

VI.  The  family  relation,  the  relation  between  husband  and  wife,  and  between 
parents  and  children,  has  its  foundation  and  support  in  the  laws  of  nature  and 
the  will  of  God,  in  the  affections  of  the  heart  and  the  dictates  of  the  under- 
standing. Other  and  wider  relations  may  be  formed  for  the  purposes  of  social 
improvement,  but  none  that  are  inconsistent  with  this  which  is  sacred  and  per- 
manent, the  root  and  fountain  of  all  human  excellence  and  happiness. 

VII.  The  combination  of  individuals  and  families  is  an  evil  or  a  good 
according  to  the  objects  to  which  it  is  directed.  To  combine  for  the  purpose  of 
inflicting  an  injury  is  evil  :  to  combine  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  from  injury 
or  conferring  a  benefit  is  good.  To  combine  for  the  purposes  of  war,  aggression, 
conquest,  tyranny,  and  enslavement  is  evil ;  to  combine  for  the  purpose  of  living 
in  peace  and  amity  towards  all,  and  in  the  exercise  of  mutual  benevolence  and 
friendly  offices,  is  good.  To  combine  for  the  purpose  of  spreading  speculative 
doctrines  and  ceremonial  observances,  forms  of  religious  worship  and  discipline 
is  injurious  to  the  welfare  of  mankind,  because  belief  is  constantly  changing  in 
every  individual   mind  according  to  the  fresh  accessions  of  light  and  knowledge 

which  it  receives,  and 
because  a  fixed  profes- 
sion is  not  and  cannot 
be  the  true  index  of  a 
varying  belief,  and  be- 
cause  such  combina- 
tions, therefore,  necessa- 
rily tend  to  produce 
habits  of  insincerity,  to 
restrain  freedom  of 
thought  and  expression 
on  the  most  momentous 
subjects,  to  cause  the 
outward  show  of  relig- 
ion to  take  the  place  of 
its  practical  and  spirit- 
ual influences, and  to  afford  an  instrument  to  priests  and  tyrants  to  enslave  the 
mind  and  the  body.  On  the  other  hand,  to  combine  for  the  purpose  of  coun- 
teraction, within  a  greater  or  less  sphere,  the  causes  which  have  produced  igno- 
rance   and    vice,   oppression    and  crime,  bigotry,  fanaticism  and  intolerance;  of 


LOOKING  EAST  ON  CENTER  STREET. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OK    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRN  .  77 

raising  labour  to  its  true  dignity  and  giving  to  it  its  just  rewards;  of  econo 
mizing  labour  and  increasing  its  productiveness  by  means  of  machinery,  of  co- 
operation! and  id'  a  wise  division  of  the  departments  of  industry  ;  of  securing  the 

full  enjoyment  of  liberty  in  thought,  in  word,  and  in  action  ;  and  of  promoting 
the  progressive  culture  and  full  development  of  all  the  capacities  of  human 
nature  by  the  union  of  spiritual,  intellectual  and  practical  attainments,  is  con- 
ducive to  the  happiness  and  improvement  of  the  world,  promotes  the  cause  of 
freedom,  of  truth  and  of  goodness,  and  according  to  their  means  and  opportuni- 
ties is  the  right,  the  duty,  and  the  interest  of  all. 


Autograph  written  March  20,  1845. 

Such  are  the  principles  and  objects  of  the  Northampton  Association  of  Edu- 
cation and  Industry,  and  it  is  in  the  full  and  distinct  recognition  of  their  truth 
and  obligation  and  with  the  view  of  applying  them  in  practice  that  the  following 
regulations  are  adopted  : — 

Note. — Articles  which  are  the  same  and  practically  the  same  as  those  in  the  Preliminary 
Circular  are  so  marked. —  [Editor. 

I.      NAME    AND    ORGANIZATION. 

i.     [Same  as  Article  I.] 

2.  [Contained  in  Article  II. | 

3.  The  Stock  Company  and  the  Industrial  Community  shall  be  distinct  from 
each  other  in  their  organization,  in  their  deliberations,  and  in  their  accounts  ; 
but  the  members  of  each  body  shall  be  allowed  to  inspect  the  records  and 
accounts  both  of  the  Industrial  Community  and  of  the  Stock  Company;  and  the 
Stock  Directors  may  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Industrial  Directors,  and  give 
their  advice,  but  shall  not  be  allowed  to  vote,  and  the  Industrial  Directors  may 
attend  the  meetings  of  the  Stock  Directors,  and  give  advice,  but  shall  not  be 
allowed  to  vote. 

4.  The  Association  shall  be  organized  by  those  persons  who  have  paid  three- 
fifths  of  the  amount  of  stock  for  which  they  have  subscribed,  and  they  shall  choose 
from  their  own  number  a  President,  Treasurer,  and  Secretary.  Those  officers 
shall  be  ex  officio  Trustees  of  all  the  property  of  the  Association,  and  members  of 
the  Board  of  Stock  Directors  and  of  the  Board  of  Industrial  Directors.  They 
shall  be  chosen  annually  by  a  majority  of  two-thirds  of  the  votes  of  actual  mem- 
bers ;  every  officer  of  the  Stock  Company  and  of  the  Industrial  Community  shall 
be  chosen  annually  by  a  like  majority  of  each  body,  respectively  ;  and  in  all 
cases  the  voting  shall  be  by  ballot. 

5.  The  President,  Treasurer,  and  Secretary,  with  four  additional  members 
chosen  from  the  Industrial  Community,  shall  constitute  a  Board  for  the  admis- 
sion of  new  members,  by  a  unanimous  vote  ;  and  two-thirds  of  the  votes  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Association  at  a  regular  meeting  shall  be  requisite  to  the  expulsion  of 


78  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

a  member,  the  decision  to  be  confirmed  by  a  similar  majority  at  the  next  regular 
meeting. 

6.  [Same  as  Article  XVI.] 

II.      STOCK    COMPANY. 

7.  The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Stock  Company  shall  consist  of  the  Presi- 
dent, Treasurer,  and  Secretary  of  the  Association,  and  of  four  additional  mem- 
bers. 

8.  The  Stock  shall  be  in  shares  of  one  hundred  dollars  each  ;  the  Stock  sub- 
scription shall  be  open  until  the  subscriptions  shall  amount  to  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  ;  and  those  subscribers  only  who  have  paid  three-fifths  of  their 
subscriptions  shall  be  entitled  to  vote. 

9.  Stock  may  be  paid  in  money  or  some  equivalent,  at  the  option  of  the 
Stock  Directors;  and  if  a  person  without  any  capital  shall  be  deemed  eligible  as  a 
member  of  the  Association,  and  shall  be  desirous  of  subscribing  stock,  he  shall  be 
permitted  to  subscribe  for  one  or  more  shares  to  be  paid  from  the  proceeds  of  his 
labour  ;  but  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  vote  as  a  Stockholder  or  to  receive  interest 
or  dividends  on  the  sum  at  his  credit,  until  it  shall  amount  to  three-fifths  of  the 
Stock  which  stands  in  his  name. 

10.  [Contained  in  Article  V.] 

11.  [Contained  in  Article  IX.J 

12.  [Same  as  Article  VIII.] 

13.  Children  above  the  age  of  five  years  may  hold  Stock  in  their  own  names, 
and  may  be  present  at  the  meetings  of  Stockholders,  but  they  shall  not  vote  until 
they  have  attained  the  full  age  of  sixteen  years. 

14.  [Same  as  Article  X.] 


[Same  as  Article  XII.] 
[Same  as  Article  XIII.] 
[Contained  in  Article  IV.] 
[Contained  in  Article  VI.] 
[Same  as  Article  VII.] 
[Contained  in  Article  XV.] 


III.      INDUSTRIAL   COMMUNITY. 

21.  The  Industrial  Community  shall  be  organized  by  individual  members  and 
families  uniting  to  constitute  it ;  by  establishing  distinct  departments  of  industry  ; 
and  by  electing  a  Director  of  each  department. 

22.  Every  member  of  the  Industrial  Community  may  devote  himself  to  dif- 
ferent departments  of  industry  ;  and  all  the  members  belonging  to  any  one  depart- 
ment shall  choose  from  amongst  themselves  the  Director  of  that  department. 

23.  The  Industrial  Directors,  with  the  President,  Treasurer,  and  Secretary  of 
the  Association,  shall  form  a  Board  who  shall  provide  suitable  employment  for  all 
the  members,  shall  fix  the  rate  of  compensation  for  the  various  employments, 
awarding  the  highest  compensation  to  the  most  necessary  and  disagreeable,  and 
shall  manage  the  purchase  of  materials  and  goods,  and  the  sale  of  articles  pro- 
duced or  manufactured,  but  after  the  actual   payments  of  Stock  shall  amount  to 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


79 


thirty-one  thousand,  two  hundred  dollars,  they  shall  have  no  power,  as  officers 
and  agents  ol  the  Community,  to  buy  or  sell  on  credit. 

24.  Children  above  the  age  of  five  years  may  become  members,  and  be 
present  at  the  meetings  of  members,  and  may  engage  in  the  industrial  pursuits  of 
the  Community,  and  receive  compensation  for  their  labour  ;  but  they  shall  not 
vote  until  they  have  attained  the  full  age  of  sixteen  years. 

25.  The  Association  shall  provide  for  the  members  of  the  Industrial  Commu- 
nity and  their  families,  moral,  literary,  scientific,  agricultural,  and  mechanical 
instruction,  medical  at- 
tendance, and  nursing, 
baths  and  public  rooms 
without  charge  ;  but  every 
member  shall  be  at  liberty 
to  seek  and  procure  for 
himself  and  his  family 
other  instruction,  medical 
attendance,  and  nursing, 
at  his  own  cost. 

26.  If  labour  in  kind 
or  in  quantity  is  required 
which  the  IndustrialCom- 
munity  does  not  supply, 
it  may  be  hired  for  the  oc- 
casion at  the  expense  of 
the  Association  ;  if  the 
Industrial  Directors  can- 
not furnish  constant  la- 
bour to  members  of  the  Community,  they  may  labour  for  others  for  hire,  the  pro- 
ceeds of  such  labour  to  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  Association ;  and  if  any  members 
shall  prefer  employment  not  under  the  direction  of  the  Industrial  Community, 
they  may  engage  in  it,  with  the  consent  of  the  Directors,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Association. 

27.  [Contained  in  Article  XXIII.] 

28.  Every  member  of  the  Industrial  Community  shall  live  on  the  lands 
belonging  to  the  Association,  and  shall  be  provided  with  suitable  apartments ; 
and  in  settling  with  individual  members  each  shall  be  credited  with  the  value  of 
labour  performed,  and  charged  at  a  reasonable  rate  with  the  rent  of  apartments 
occupied,  and  at  cost  with  articles  for  domestic  consumption. 

29.  In  making  the  annual  settlement,  the  disbursements  shall  be  made  in  the 
following  order:  first,  the  wages  of  labour  ;  second,  the  expense  of  members  of 
the  Industrial  Community  unable  to  earn  a  livelihood  by  their  own  labour,  includ- 
ing destitute  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  members,  the  property  of  such 
members  in  the  Stock  account  being  first  applied  as  far  as  it  will  go  ;  third,  inter- 
est on  Stock;  and  fourth,  the  net  balance,  if  any,  shall  be  divided  among  the 
members  of  the  Association,  one-half  being  awarded  to  labour,  one-fourth  to  skill., 
and  one-fourth  to  capital. 


RIVER    I1END    IN    I1AKERS    MEADOW. 


8o 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


30.  Any  matter  in  dispute  shall  be  decided  by  arbitration.  The  two  parties 
concerned  shall  each  select  an  arbitrator.  The  two  arbitrators  thus  selected  shall 
choose  a  third.  And  the  three  thus  chosen  shall  constitute  a  Board  of  Arbitra- 
tion, who  shall  in  open  court  hear  the  representations  and  examine  the  witnesses 
of  both  parties,  and  shall  deliver  a  written  decision,  conformable  to  equity  and 
good  conscience,  which  shall  be  binding  without  appeal,  and  shall  be  placed  on 
record  for  future  reference  and  guidance.  The  arbitrators  shall  be  compensated 
for  their  time  and  labour  by  the  Association  according  to  a  rate  fixed  by  the 
Industrial  Directors. 

31.  The  litigation  in  a  court  of  law  of  any  question  in  dispute  between  parties 
belonging  to  the  Association,  either  instead  of  having  recourse  to  arbitration  or 
for  the  purpose  of  overthrowing  a  decision  pronounced  by  arbitrators,  shall  sub- 
ject the  offender  to  expulsion. 

32.  The  Association  may  establish  By-laws  not  inconsistent  with  the  spirit 
and  intention  of  this  Constitution. 

33.  I  Contained  in  Article  XXV.] 

The  Meeting  then  proceeded  to  organize  the  Northampton  Association  of 
Education  and  Industry  by  the  choice  of  a  President,  Treasurer,  and  Secretary, 
when  the  following  persons  were  elected  by  ballot,  viz.,  Joseph  Conant,  Presi- 
dent ;  Samuel  L.  Hill,  Treasurer  ;  William  Adam,  Secretary. 

The  following  persons  were  in  like  manner  elected  members  of  the  Board  for 
the  admission  of  new  members,  viz.,  Hall  Judd,  Samuel  Brooks,  G.  W.  Benson. 

The  following  persons  were  in  like  manner  elected  Directors  of  the  Stock 
Company,  viz.:  G.  W.  Benson,  Theodore  Scarborough,  E.  D.  Swift,  D.  Mack. 


The  meeting  closed   by  appointing  a   committee  of  three  to  provide 
accommodation    for   new   members.       The   object   and     principles    upon 

which  the  association 
was  founded  are  set 
forth  at  some  length 
in  the  above  Consti- 
tution and  By-Laws. 
The  Northampton  As- 
sociation like  Brook 
Farm  and  Hopedale 
rejected  communism 
as  unfavorable  to  in- 
dividuality. All  three 
desired  honest  co-op- 
eration. During  the  first  year  the  Northampton  Association  in  its  man- 
agement differed  materially  from  Brook  Farm,  inasmuch  as  the  affairs 
of  the  association  were  conducted  by  two  distinct  bodies,  all  financial 
matters  being  governed  by  the  holders  of  the  stock,  and  the  "Industrial 
Community"  having  absolute  control  of   the  departments  of   industry. 


A   CURIOSITY — "AN    ENDLESS    KNOT." 


NORTH  AMP  ION    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDl'CA  HON    AND    INDUSTRY. 


Thus  capital  and  labor  were  separate,  and  yet  bound  together.  The 
Stock  Company  could  attend  the  meetings  and  offer  advice  to  the  Indus- 
trial Community,  but  could  not  vote,  and  vice  versa. 

The  second  meeting  was  held  the  following  day,  Saturday,  April 
ninth.  The  stock  directors  purchased  a  quantity  of  raw  silk  from  Mr. 
Conant,  a  committee  was 
authorized  to  purchase  ten 
or  twelve  cows,  one  yoke  of 
oxen,  six  horses,  swine,  poul- 
try, and  some  farming  im- 
plements and  supplies  ;  three 
applications  for  admission 
were  received  ;  and  the  In- 
d  u  st  r  i  a  1  Community  ap- 
pointed E.  D.  Swift  director 
of  the  silk  department,  with 
instructions  to  begin  oper- 
ations on  the  first  of  May. 
On  April  14  the  lumber, 
agricultural,  and  mechanical 
departments  were  organized, 
and  Samuel  Brooks,  G.  W. 
Benson,  and  Joseph  Conant, 
respectively,  were  appointed 
directors.  It  was  voted  that 
labor  be  paid  by  the  hour 
and  that  the  Constitution  be 
printed.  By  the  last  of  April, 
a  "  Communit)r  store  "  had 
been  fitted  up,  and  nineteen 
persons  (including  children) 
were  admitted  as  members. 

The  month  of  May  was  a 
busy  one  for  the  new  associa- 
tion. William  Adam  was  ap- 
pointed director  of  the  Ed- 
ucational Department,  and 
was  instructed  to  prepare  at 

the  expense  of  the  Community  a  course  of  lectures  on  Social  Economy, 
"in  illustration  of  the  principles  and  practices  of  the  association."  The 
Industrial  Community  appointed  a  building  committee  of  three  mem- 
bers ;     Mr.    Mack   was  authorized  to  procure   information  and  report  on 


INBOARD — 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


the  subject  of  horticulture,  with  a  view  of  establishing  such  a  depart- 
ment. Oliver  D.  Paine  was  made  director  of  the  department  for  the 
feeding  of  silkworms  and  the  manufacture  of  raw  silk. 

During  this  month  the  brick  building  (later  known  as  the  Greenville 
Cotton  Factory)  was  fitted  up  and  the  "  factory  boarding  house  "  estab- 
lished. In  the  basement  was  the  laundry  ;  on  the  floor  above  or  second 
story,  besides  two  rooms  given  to  silk  manufacturing,  was  a  room  fitted 
up  with  "  bunks  "  in  which  several  men  slept.  On  the  third  floor  at  one 
end  was  the  kitchen  and  long  dining  room,  and  at  the  other  end  were 
several    sleeping    rooms.        The   "  finishing    room,"    where    the    silk  was 

skeined  and  packed, 
and  the  "  Community 
store "  were  on  this 
floor  also.  The  fourth 
story  was  divided  into 
sitting  and  sleeping 
rooms  for  families 
and  single  persons. 
All  the  partitionswere 
of  plain  boards.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hiram  Wells 
were  appointed  to 
take  charge  of  the 
new  department,  and 
they  were  instructed 
to  entertain  only  such 
boarders  as  the  stock  directors  might  sanction.  All  supplies  were  ob- 
tained at  the  Community  store. 

The  stock  directors  saw  the  need  of  some  changes  in  the  constitution 
and  therefore  adopted  four  amendments.  One  stated  that  any  officer  of 
the  association  or  either  department  could  be  removed  by  a  two  thirds 
vote  of  the  body  appointing  him.  Another  provided  for  an  annual 
meeting  to  be  held  in  January,  and  that  no  stockholder  could  vote  who 
failed  to  pay  his  assessments  on  stock  subscribed.  The  fourth  provided 
for  the  dissolution  of  the  association  and  read  as  follows  : — 

"  The  Trustees  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Stock  Directors  shall  have  the 
right  to  sell  and  convey  in  fee  simple  or  for  other  less  estate  any  or  all  of  the 
real  or  personal  property  *  *  *  on  such  terms  as  they  shall  think  proper 
*  *  *  and  thereupon  they  shall  as  may  be  voted  by  the  Stock  Directors  either 
re-invest  the  proceeds  of  such  sale,  or  employ  them  in  carrying  on  or  extending 
the  Industrial  pursuits  of  the  community,  or  after  discharging  all  claims  against 
the  association  divide  the  proceeds  or  any  part  thereof  amongst  the  stockholders 
in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  stock  which  they  have  respectively  paid  in." 


BRAID    MILL — FORMERLY   THE   COMMUNITY    BOARDING    HOUSE. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OK    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


83 


This  declaration  of  trust  and  the  other  important  parts  of  the  con- 
stitution were  prepared  by  E.  G.  Loring  of  Boston,  and  duly  examined 
by  Mr.  Charles  Forbes*  of  Northampton,  "  both  gentlemen  of  legal 
eminence."  Nineteen  names  were  added  to  the  membership  list,  a  ma- 
jority being  children. 

In  the  month  of  June  benches  were  placed  in  the  mechanical  depart- 
ment, and  slates,  books,  etc.,  were  purchased  for  the  "  infant  school  "  ; 
a  "  Daily  Express  between  Broughton  Meadows  and  the  village  of  North- 
ampton "  was  established,  and    Mr.    Hall   Judd  was   to  be  credited  two 


REAR   VIEW   OF    BRAID    MILL — ORIGINAL    COMMUNITY    BUILDING    IS    SHOWN    IN    CENTER. 

hours  a  day,  and  more  if  necessary,  to  attend  to  this  duty.  Members 
who  employed  his  services  were  charged  on  the  following  scale  : 
"One  cent  per  letter,  one-half  a  cent  per  newspaper,  two  cents  for  an 
errand  or  message  or  small  purchase,  and  six  cents  for  any  commission 
or  business  in  which  the  use  of  a  wagon  is  required."  Implements  of 
husbandry  to  the  amount  of  $1,576  were  purchased  ;  the  question  of 
remuneration  of  labor  was  left  to  be  determined  by  the  directors  at  the 
end  of  the  year  with  reference  "  to  the  actual  nature,  usefulness  and 
value  of  the  labor  performed  by  each  member  "  ;  and  the  following 
rules  governing  the  boarding  house  were  adopted  : — 

"  1st.     All  the  boarders  are  required  to  retire  to  their  sleeping  apartments  for 
the  night  at  one  half  past  nine  o'clock,  and  to  extinguish  their  lights  at  ten  o'clock. 


*  Donor  of  Forbes  Library. 


84 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


"  2d.  It  is  left  exclusively  to  the  discretion  and  judgment  of  the  superintend- 
ents of  the  Boarding  House  to  make  provision  for  the  table  and  generally  for  the 
comfort  and  convenience  of  the  boarders,  and  in  the  event  of  any  dissatisfaction  of 
the  boarders  they  are  requested  to  first  make  known  their  wishes  to  the  super- 
intendents, and,  finally,  if  necessary,  to  the  Board  of  Industrial  Directors. 

"  3d.  Washing  is  included  in  '  Board  and  lodgings'  to  be  furnished  by  the 
Association,  but  should  any  boarder  appear  at  the  end  of  the  year  to  have  occa- 
sioned disproportionate  expense  on  this  account,  he  will  be  debited  with  the 
excess. 

"  4th.  Mending  is  not  included  in  boarding  and  lodging,  and  the  boarders  are 
left  to  provide  for  their  own  wants  in  this  respect,  either  through  the  Department 
of  Domestic  Economy,  in  which  the  charges  will  be  as  moderate  as  will  compen- 
sate for  the  labour,  or  in  any  other  way  that  may  be  preferred." 

But  few  items  of  interest  appear  in  the  month  of  July.  The  board  for 
the  admission  of  new  members  was  busy  investigating  the  credentials  of 

the  numerous  applicants 
for  membership;  the 
charge  to  the  members  for 
using  the  daily  express  was 
discontinued  ;  S.  L.  Hill 
was  made  assistant  direc- 
tor of  the  silk  manufactur- 
ing department  ;  it  was 
voted  to  rebuild  the  saw- 
mill, and  build  a  gristxnill  ; 
weekly  reports  were  re- 
quired from  heads  of  de- 
partments ;  Mrs.  Wells 
resigned  the  superintend- 
ence of  the  boarding  house; 
and  some  time  was  given 
to  investigating  "  Mr.  Pres- 
ton's machine  for  making 
flax." 

During  the  months  of 
August  and  September  but 
little  of  importance  is 
chronicled.  Mr.  Swift  re- 
signed the  directorship  of 
his  department,  and  E.  D.  Hudson  was  made  his  successor  ;  several 
other  changes  in  the  directors  of  departments  took  place  ;  Henry  C. 
Wright  of  Boston  was  requested  to  undertake  the  agency  of  the  associa- 


ELECTRIC    POWER    HOUSE — MOUNTAINS    IN    DISTANCE. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


85 


tion  in  England,  to  procure  subscriptions  of  stock,  and  was  offered  three 
percent,  on  the  amount  subscribed  ;  the  first  withdrawal  from  the  asso- 
ciation took  place  in  the  resignation  of  Mrs.  Sally  Hill. 

Joseph  Conant,   Earle   D.  Swift,  and   Orwell   S.  Chaffee  withdrew   in 
October.     They  had  been  active  workers  for  the  good  of  the  association, 

especially  in  the  silk  man- 
ufacturing department, 
where  Mr.  Swift  had  been 
superintendent.  Mr.  Co- 
nant's  practical  judgment 
in  business  affairs  and 
the  executive  ability  he 
displayed  as  president  of 
the  association  had  made 
him  a  valuable  member, 
and  his  resignation  was 
a  severe  blow  to  the  Com- 
munity. The  experiment 
he  feared  would  not 
prove  a  financial  success, 
and  his  business  tact  told 
him  to  seek  a  new  field 
that  might  yield  better 
returns.  In  the  "Book 
of  Letters,"  the  secre- 
tary, William  Adam,  in 
a  letter  addressed  to  John 
Bailey,  dated  the  six- 
teenth of  March,  1843, 
gives  the  reason  for  the  withdrawal  in  the  following  words  : — 

"  *  *  *  The  fact  is  that  towards  the  close  of  last  year  three  of  our  mem- 
bers left  us,  finding  that  they  had  hastily  united  with  us,  and  they  could  or  would 
not  merge  their  private  interests  in  the  general  and  common  interest.  The  sepa- 
ration has  taken  place  in  an  amicable  way.  They  are  all  three  relatives,  have 
commenced  business  and  purchased  farms  in  our  immediate  neighborhood,  have 
received  from  us  all  the  assistance  which  it  has  been  in  our  power  to  give,  and  have 
given  us  all  the  accommodation  in  their  power  in  withdrawing  their  stock.  They 
are  men  of  good  private  character  as  the  world  goes,  but  their  object  in  joining  us 
appears  to  have  been  from  the  first, pecuniary  advantage,  not  moral  improvement, 
or  social  usefulness,  and  we  all  feel  that  their  departure  has  strengthened  instead 
of  weakened  us." 


"A   NEW    ENGLAND    FARMER." 


86 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


The  three  members  referred  to  purchased  Enoch  Jewett's  farm,  which 
included  the  house,  shop,  and  water  power,  and  began  at  once  to  erect  a 
silk  mill,  which  now  forms  the  western  end  of  "  Leonard's  Mill." 

The  association  quickly  recovered  from  the  temporary  embarrass- 
ment caused  by  losing  these  members.  Owing  to  the  frequent  resig- 
nations of  those  appointed  superintendents  of  the  boarding  house, 
on  October  fifteenth  the  families  and  individual  members  residing  there 
appointed  David  Mack,  Maria  Mack,  and  Nancy  Richardson  a  committee 
"  to  superintend  and  control  the  domestic  arrangements  of  the  house." 
Edward  Vallentine,  an  English  dyer,  had  heretofore  done  all  the  work  in 
this  line,  but  he  was  not  a  member,  and  the  association  wanted  some  one 
of  their  number  to  do  this  work,  so  they  agreed  to  pay  him  one  hundred 
dollars  to  "  instruct  James  D.  Atkins  in  the  art  of  dyeing  silk,"  and  the 
contract  was  signed  October  twenty-second.  For  eight  years  Mr.  Atkins 
had  been  a  stereotyper  at  the  University  Press,  Cambridge,  where  the 
constitution  of  the  association  had  been  taken  to  be  printed.  In  this 
way  his  attention  was  called  to  the  Community,  and,  thinking  favorably 
of  the  experiment,  he  came  to  Florence  and  was  admitted  as  a  member. 

The  board  for  the  admission  of  new  members  for  the  last  three 
months  had  been  busy  considering  applications,  and,  although  many 
were  declined,  a  goodly  number  were  accepted.  Before  the  year  closed 
a  cutlery  department  was  started,  and  the  making  of  boots  and  shoes 
begun. 


SOUTH    MAIN    STREET    PARK. 


CHAPTER   IX. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOC " I ATION.  —  ( 'ontinued. 

The  Years  1843,  '844.  1845,  ^46,  1847. —  Causes  of  the  Dissolution. 
List. —  Notes. 


Membership 


Soon  after  the  association  started,  the  vital  question  of  the  remunera- 
tion of  labor  had  come  up  for  discussion,  and  the  members  had  voted  to 
leave  this  till  the  end  of  the  year.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Industrial 
Directors,  held  the  sixteenth  of  January,  1840,  this  matter  was  decided 
after  many  ballots  had  been  cast,  as  shown  by  the  following  item  taken 
from  the  secretary's  book  : — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  labour  of  members  of  the  Community  during  the  past 
year,  shall  be  remunerated  in  the  following  manner,  namely: — those  under 
twelve  years  of  age  at  the  rate  of  one  cent  per  hour,  above  twelve  and  under  six- 
teen years  of  age  at  the  rate  of  three  cents  per  hour,  above  sixteen  and  under 
twenty  years  of  age  at  the  rate  of  four  cents  and  one-half  per  hour,  and  above 
twenty  years  at  the  rate  of  six  cents  per  hour." 

The  first  annual  meeting  of  the  asso- 
ciation was  advertised  for  the  eighteenth 
of  January,  but,  as  some  departments 
were  not  ready  to  report,  it  was  post- 
poned two  days.  As  many  matters  came 
up  for  consideration,  the  meetings  were 
adjourned  from  day  to  day,  and  the  an- 
nual meeting  did  not  end  till  the  first  of 
February.  However,  the  amount  of 
business  transacted  was  proportionate 
to  the  number  of  meetings.  When  the 
association  was  started  in  April,  1842, 
the  leaders  were  unacquainted  with  the 
task  of  directing  a  "  Community,"  and, 
as  a  natural  consequence,  many  of  the 
regulations  intended  to  govern  the  work- 
ing of  the  association  after  a  trial  of  nine 
months  had  proved  impracticable.  These 
objectionable  features  came  up  for  consideration  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing, and  after  many  days  of  earnest  discussion,  in  which  nearly  all  the 
members  took  part,  numerous  amendments  to  the  constitution  were 
adopted,  and  a  code  of  by-laws  added.  While  these  changes  did  not 
make    the    object    of    the    association    any    different    from    the    original 


GEORGE  W.    BENSON. 
Photograph  taken  in  1S66. 


05  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

design  of  the  founders,  and  while  the  principles  as  set  forth  in  the  pre- 
amble remained  the  same,  the  new  constitution  was  a  radical  departure 
in  respect  to  regulations  governing  the  privileges  of  stockholders  and 
non-stockholders.  Several  extracts  from  replies  sent  by  the  secretary 
to  inquiries  from  abroad  will  not  only  give  the  gist  of  these  amend- 
ments, but  will  tell  us  how  they  were  regarded  by  the  members. 

"  Fei;.  27,  1843. 
"To  Henry  G.  Wright,  Lynn,  Mass.  : 

"  Last  year  labour  and  capital  held  joint  sway.  This  year,  trs  an  experiment, 
labour  has  exclusive  control.  *  *  *  All  this  is  exceedingly  bad  and  imperfect. 
Come  and  judge  for  yourself.  We  do  not  claim  to  be  perfect,  and  everything  is 
open  to  the  candid  inquirer." 

To  Moses  K.  Meader,  same  date,  Mr.  Adam  writes  : — 

"*  *  *  The  person  who  gave  you  the  information  that  the  amendment  of 
the  Constitution  recently  adopted  makes  the  object  of  the  Association  very  dif- 
ferent from  the  original  design,  is,  in  the  opinion  of  a  large  majority  of  the  asso- 
ciation, widely  mistaken  ;  the  amendment  in  their  view  directly  tending  to  carry 
out  that  design  more  fully,  to  invest  the  whole  body  of  the  members  with  equal 
rights  and  powers,  to  unite  them  in  co-operative  industry,  and  to  give  them  a 
common  interest  in  the  produce  of  their  labour.  To  show  this  I  should  wish  to 
send  you  a  copy  of  the  new  regulations  but  it  would  occupy  more  space  than 
this  sheet  would  afford  and  I  therefore  will  give  the  substance  in  the  form  of  an 
abstract. 

"  1st.  This  regulation  merges  the  Stock  Company  and  the  Industrial  Com- 
munity into  one,  and  gives  every  member,  whether  stockholder  or  labourer,  only 
one  vote. 

"  2nd.  This  provides  for  the  election  of  the  Directors  by  the  Community 
at  large  in  public  meeting. 

"3rd.  This  provides  that  members  and  their  families  shall  receive  lodging, 
necessary  furniture,  fuel,  oil,  and  clothing  at  the  common  expense,  in  addition  to 
what  is  provided  by  Article  29th  of  the  first  constitution. 

"  4th.  This  provides  that  after  payment  of  all  expenses  and  charges  at  the 
end  of  the  year,  one-fourth  of  the  net  profits  shall  be  divided  equally  among  all 
the  members,  and  the  remaining  three-fourths  shall  constitute  an  Association 
Fund. 

"  5th.  This  abolishes  the  Board  or  Committee  for  the  admission  of  new 
members  and  gives  the  power  of  admitting  members  to  the  whole  community. 

"6th.     This  restricts  the  right  of  voting  to  those  over  eighteen  years  of  age. 

"7th.  This  pledges  able  bodied  and  healthy  members  to  ten  hours  labour 
per  day. 

"  These  are  all  the  new  regulations,  and  I  would  remark  on  the  fourth  that 
instead  of  dividing  only  one-fourth,  some  wish  that  the  remaining  three-fourths 
also  should  be  divided  equally  among  the  members,  but  this  has  not  been  fully 
resolved  on,  although  it  is   probable  that  it  will  be  adopted   before  the  close  of 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY,  89 

the  year.     You  will  judge  for  yourself  whether  there  is  any  departure  from   the 
original  design." 

Mr.  Conant's  resignation  had  left  the  office  of  president  vacant,  and 
at  the  annual  meeting  Mr.  Mack  was  chosen  to  succeed  him.  Mr.  Adam 
was  re-elected  secretary,  and  Mr.  Hill  treasurer.  The  reports  of  the 
directors  of  different  departments  showed  that  the  past  year  had  been 
a  successful  one.  It  was  voted  to  have  eleven  departments,  and  the 
work  of  each  was  defined  in  detail  to  avoid  any  clashing  among  the 
parts  of  the  great  machine.  The  duties  assigned  to  each  department 
and  the  names  of  the  directors  and  their  assistants  are  given  below  : — 

"I.  Agricultural  Department,  including  all  farming  operations,  and  all 
standing  wood  and  timber.  Theodore  Scarborough,  Director.  E.  D.  Hudson. 
Assistant  Director  in   Horticulture. 

"  2.  Lumber  Department,  including  sawing  lumber,  cutting  shingles,  care  of 
lumber  yard,  and  sale  of  lumber.     G.  W.  Benson,  Director. 


WEST    ON    MAIN    STREET — NEAR    OIL-GAS    STOVE    WORKS. 

"  3.  Silk  Manufacturing  Department,  including  the  manufacture  of  Silk  and 
Flax,  and  the  direction  of  the  machine  shop.     E.  L.  Preston,  Director. 

"4.  Cutlery  Department,  including  all  kinds  of  blacksmithing  and  cutlery. 
H.  Wells,  Director. 

"  5.  Mechanical  Department,  including  all  carpentry,  the  planing  machine, 
and  the  manufacture  of  shoes.     W.  F.  Parker,  Director. 

"6.  Silk  Growing  Department,  including  the  culture  of  mulberry  trees,  the 
feeding  of  silk-worms,  and  the  reeling  of  cocoons.     O.  D.  Paine;  Director. 

"  7.  Domestic  Department,  including  the  providing  of  females  with  work, 
the  superintendence  and  care  of  domestic  labour  and  of  the  community  board- 


9° 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


ing  house.     Roxie   Brown,  Director.      Nancy   Richardson,  Assistant  Director  of 
the  Table.     S.  L.  Hill,  Assistant  Director  of  the  Household. 

"8.  Store  Department,  including  the  purchase  and  sale  of  supplies  and  the 
care  of  the  Daily  Express.     Hall  Judd,  Director. 

"9.  Accountant's  Department,  including  charge  of  the  book  and  accounts 
of  the  Association.     W.  Larned,  Director. 

"  10.  Educational  Department,  including  the  direction  of  the  studies, 
labours,  and  amusements  of  all  members  under  the  age  of  eighteen,  in  consulta- 
tion with  parents,  guardians,  teachers,  and  industrial  directors.  W.  Adam, 
Director. 

"11.  Secretarial  Department,  including  charge  of  the  correspondence  of 
the  Association,  keeping  copies  of  letters  sent  and  recording  the  transactions  of 
all  business  meetings.  W.  Adam,  Director.  (J.  W.  Benson,  Financial  Assistant 
in  the  Treasurer's  Department," 

During  the  closing  winter  months  the  members  were  busy  perfecting 
the  organization  of  the  "  Community,"  as  it  had  come  to  be  called.     The 

new  regulations  pro- 
vided for  the  clothing 
of  the  members,  and 
the  sixth  of  February, 
in  accordance  with  this 
provision,  it  was  voted 
that  for  the  year  1843 
twenty  dollars  should 
be  allowed  to  all  mem- 
bers over  eighteen 
years  old;  fourteen 
dollars  for  those  be- 
tween the  ages  of  four- 
teen and  eighteen  ;  ten 
dollars  for  those  be- 
tween ten  and  fourteen 
years  ;  eight  dollars 
tor  those  between  six  and  ten  years  ;  and  live  dollars  for  children  under 
six  years  old. 

The  allowance  for  board  was  fixed  at  the  rate  of  eighty  cents  per 
week  for  all  members  over  ten  years  old,  and  forty  cents  per  week  for  all 
under  that  age.  This  was  the  expense  of  board  at  the  "Community 
House"  and  included  fuel,  oil,  and  rent,  and  no  charge  was  made  for 
labor  which  was  furnished  by  the  association. 

The  spring  opened  with  bright  prospects,  and  the  founders  thought 
that  at  last  their  ideals  were  to  be  realized.  A  lyceum  and  book  club 
were  organized   and   a  reading  room    fitted    up  in   the  factory  building. 


A  COMMUNITY    HOUSE. —  WHERE  WM.  ADAM    LIVED. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


91 


The  old  oil  mill  was  turned  into  a  gristmill,  and  a  cocoonery  one  hun- 
dred feet  long  by  twenty  live  feet  wide  was  elected  near  what  is  now 
the  junction  of  Park  and  Pine  streets.  Applications  for  membership 
came  flowing  in  from  all  parts  of  the  country.  A  personal  acquaintance 
with  the  applicant  was  necessary  for  admission,  and  to  make  this  regula- 
tion practical  those  who  lived  at  some  distance  from  Northampton  were 
invited  to  visit  the  association  for  a  few  days.  Sometimes  applicants 
were  asked  to  reside  in  the  community  for  two,  six,  or  twelve  months,  on 
probation  as  it  were,  during  which  time  they  received  board  and  lodging 
in  return  for  the  labor  they  gave  the  association.  If  at  the  end  of  this 
time  both  parties  were  satisfied,  the  probationary  members  became 
regular  ones. 

Mr.  Adam,  as  secretary,  wrote  to  an  inquirer  :  "  The  result  of  one 
year's  experience  has  been  on  the  whole  satisfactory  to  all  concerned, 
and  although  much 
pressed  for  capital 
we  are  advancing 
into  the  second 
year  with  increased 
energy  and  spirit." 
In  another  letter,  in 
a  n  s  w  e  r  to  the 
question,  "  W  h  a  t 
branches  of  busi- 
ness are  in  oper- 
ation ?  "  he  .  says, 
"  We  cultivate  a 
farm,  we  sell  lum- 
ber and  shingles, 
we  grow  silk  and 
manufacture  it. 
We  havev  amongst 
us  teachers  for  the 
instruction    of   our 

children,  blacksmiths,  carpenters,  masons,  and  shoemakers.     * 
need  a  wheelwright,  a  machinist,  a  bootmaker  and  a  baker." 

On  the  twenty-second  of  April  Mr.  Mack  resigned  the  presidency,  "  in 
order  that  more  complete  and  satisfactory  arrangements  might  be 
effected,"  as  the  secretary's  report  reads.  Mr.  Adam  also  tendered  his 
resignation  as  secretary  and  director  of  the  Educational  Department- 
Mr.  Benson  was  chosen  president  and  Mr.  Mack  assumed  the  duties 
heretofore  assigned  to  Mr.  Adam. 


"  Wliile  firmer  ice  the  eager  boy  awaits. 
Trying  each  buckle  and  strap  beside  the  fire." 


We 


Q2 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


An  extract  from  another  letter  gives  us  these  items.  "  We  number 
thirty  men  above  the  age  of  eighteen  ;  twenty-six  women,  with  six  more 
hired  to  work  in  our  silk  room  ;  forty-six  children  under  the  age  of  eight- 
een. We  have  but  a  feeble  commencement  of  a  library  and  reading 
room,  but  have  raised  some  more  than  one  hundred  dollars  for  these 
purposes.  *  *  *  Our  baths  are  yet  /'/;  the  river,  and  of  course  open  to 
all." 

On  the  first  of  June  the  report  of  the  silk  department  showed  a  profit 
of  $105.82  for  the  last  six  months.  The  director,  E.  L.  Preston,  resigned, 
and   James   Stetson   was   appointed    in  his  stead.      During   the  next   few 


NORTH    FROM    COSMIAN    TOWER. 


months  much  time  in  the  meetings  was  taken  up  by  discussing  minor 
matters,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  new  constitution.  The 
new  secretary,  Mr.  Mack,  in  a  letter  dated  July  22,  writes  as  follows 
regarding  this  document  : — 

><  *  *  *  j  ought  t0  say,  however,  that  all  our  members  are  not  satisfied  with 
the  modifications,  and  that  there  exists  among  us  quite  a  difference  of  opinion 
as  to  the  propriety  of  continuing  the  modifications  permanently,  or  of  returning 
to  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution,  though  I  cannot  persuade  myself  that  we 
shall  again  ever  consent  to  give  votes  to  dollars.  Our  experience  has  taught  us 
some  important  lessons  :  That  it  is  highly  important  to  select  members  who  are 
more  interested  in  realizing  the  undertaking  of  the  Association,  especially  their 
moral  and  social  undertakings,  than  in  making  money;  that  to  commence  in 
debt  is  very  bad,  as  expenses  must  multiply  for  some  time  and  returns  must  be 
small ;  that  full  power  to  manage  the  various  departments  of  industry  and  busi- 
ness should  be  submitted  to  the  persons  chosen  to  conduct  them,  and  that  they 
be  not  always  liable  to   be  called  upon   for  explanation,  reports,  etc.,  and   that 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    KDl'CATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


93 


experiments  in  business  be  postponed  until  they  can  be  tried  without   involving 
the  risk  of  serious  embarrassment." 

On  September  ninth  the  new  Articles  of    Association   and    By-Laws 

were  formally  adopted.     These  were  practically  the  same  as  those  which 

had  been  in  force  since  January.     It  seems  that  the  stockholders,  as  a 

body,  had  not  accepted  these  modifications  of  the  original  constitution, 

and  at  a  meeting  held   on  the  thirtieth   of  September  no   decision  was 

reached.     The  following  protest  copied  from  the  record  book  explains 

Mr.  Adam's  position  :  — 

"  Northampton,  September  30,  1843. 

"  The  meeting  of  the  Stockholders  of  the  Northampton  Association,  of  which 
the  present  meeting  is  an  adjournment,  having  been  the  first  that  was  held  this 
year,  and  the  first  consequently  at  which  I 
have  had  an  opportunity  of  expressing  my 
judgment  as  a  Stockholder  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  present  year,  I  avail  myself  of 
the  present  occasion  to  record  my  dissent 
in  the  most  formal  manner,  and  in  the 
above-mentioned  capacity,  to  certain  of 
their  proceedings. 

"  I  protest  against  the  changes  that  have 
been  made  in  the  Constitution  as  contrary 
to  the  constitution  of  the  Association,  as 
illegal,  or  contrary  to  the  law  of  the  land  ; 
and  as  immoral  or  contrary  to  the  plain- 
est principles  of  justice  and  honesty. 

"  I  protest,  in  particular,  as  a  direct  vio- 
lation of  the  constitution  of  law  and  of 
morality,  against  the  assumption,  whether 
by  individual  members  of  the  association 
holding  office,  or  by  the  Industrial  Com- 
munity in  their  associated  capacity,  of  the 
power  to  appropriate  the  funds  of  the 
Association  for  any  purposes  whatsoever, 
without  the  sanction  either  of  a  regular 
vote  of  the  Stockholders,  or  of  the  Di- 
rectors appointed  by  them  as  their  repre- 
sentatives." 

( Signed) 

"W.   ADAM."  DR.    JAMES    BOYLE. 

The  amended  constitution  was  adopted  by  the  stockholders  October 
28th,  and  the  question  was  settled  for  the  time  being.  The  funds  of  the 
association  were  limited,  and  in  November  an  effort  was  made  to  raise  a 
subscription  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  James  Boyle,  as  agent,  was 
instructed  to  undertake  this  task  and  to  lecture  and  hold  conventions  in 


94 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


the  middle  and  eastern  counties  of  the  state.  Mr.  Mack  and  Mr.  Benson 
were  to  co-operate  with  Mr.  Boyle,  the  former  being  assigned  the  central 
and  western  portions  of  New  York  state.  Mr.  Adam  was  sent  to  New 
York  city  and  Philadelphia  to  make  arrangements  with  a  publisher  to 
print  a  literary  article  for  the  benefit  of  the  association. 

THE    YEAR    1844. 

The  new  year  opened  with  the  resignation  of  William  Adam.  He  had 
never  been  satisfied  with  the  changes  in  the  constitution,  as  was  shown 
by  his  letters  and  protest.  At  the  second  annual  meeting  the  old  board 
of  officers  was  elected,  but  the  financial  standing  of  the  association  was 
not  all  that  could  be  desired.  In  June  Mr.  Benson  made  a  proposition 
to  purchase  the  stock  and  property  of  the  association  at  cost,  and  to 
assume  all  the  liabilities,  but  the  members  were  not  ready  to  disband, 
and  after  a  heated  discussion  Mr.  Benson's  proposition  was  rejected. 

This  year  seems  to  have  been  a  quiet,  peaceful  one  in  the  life  of  the 
association.     The  organization  had  proved  efficient,  and  the  differences 

arising  between  indi- 
vidual members  were 
easily  settled,  and  har- 
mony generally  pre- 
vailed. The  unique 
character  of  the  asso- 
ciation naturally  at- 
tracted persons  who 
had  never  been  able 
to  earn  a  living  under 
ordinary  conditions, 
as  well  as  those  who 
joined  from  higher 
motives  than  simply 
to  gain  a  subsistence, 
consequently  the  work  was  sometimes  unequally  shared.  At  one  time 
the  washing  of  the  clothes  belonging  to  the  blacksmiths  and  farm  labor- 
ers was  assigned  to  a  member,  after  others  of  greater  physical  strength 
had   refused   to  do  it.      The   complaint  was   made  that  a  shirt  was  not 

washed  clean,  and   the   accused   said,  "  If would   change  his  shirts 

more  frequently,  it  would  be  easier  to  wash  several  less  soiled  ones  than 

-  is  so 


ELECTRIC    CAR    I-SARNS. 


one  which  had  lasted  a  week,"  whereupon  the  reply  was,  "Ah  !  - 

stuck  up  now,   I  don't  know  what  I  should  do  with    him  with  more  than 

one  clean  shirt  a  week." 

But  hardships  were  endured  without  much  grumbling,  and  the  mem- 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OK    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


95 


bers  labored  as  they  never  had  before.  One  of  them  worked  one  and  a 
half  years  and  received  in  return  board  and  lodgings,  one  calico  dress, 
one  pair  of  slippers,  and  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  in  cash.  Notwith- 
standing these  unpleasant  features,  the  members  who  still  survive 
remember  only  the  bright  side  of  their  life  in  the  old  association. 

The  Educational  Department  deserves  more  than  a  slight  notice. 
William  Adam  was  its  first  director,  and  he  was  ably  assisted  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mack,  who  afterward  succeeded  Mr.  Adam.  Sophia  Foorde  was 
also  one  of  the  teachers.  Many  parents  sent  their  children  to  the  asso- 
ciation, and  these  "  boarding  scholars  "  were  required  to  work  as  well  as 
study.     At   one   time,  the    forenoon   from    seven   to   twelve  o'clock   was 


BRIDGE   AT   COOK'S    DAM. 

devoted  to  study,  and  the  afternoon  from  one  o'clock  to  sunset  was 
given  to  manual  labor.  Later,  more  time  for  labor  was  deemed  neces- 
sary, and  the  older  scholars  worked  all  day  and  studied  in  the  evening. 
The  tuition  for  boarding  scholars  was  one  hundred  dollars  per  annum, 
which  included  everything  save  clothing,  books,  and  stationery.  A 
pupil  received  instruction  in  the  mechanical  and  agricultural  arts,  sci- 
ence, and  literature.  In  Mrs.  Mack's  class  of  girls  were  :  Mary  A.  Rich- 
ardson, Sarah  F.  Stetson,  Emily  Brigham,  Louisa  Hill,  Harriet  Hubbard, 
Helen  Adam,  Anna  Benson,  Esther,  Clara  and  Mary  Cone,  and  a  daughter 
of  Josiah  Hayward.  Among  the  boys  may  be  mentioned  Horatio  and 
Giles  B.  Stebbins,  now  both  well  known  clergymen. 

The   old   oil   mill  was  now  a   gristmill,  first   floor,   above   was  a   shoe- 
maker's shop,  and  in  the  basement  a  bath  room  was  fitted  up.       Mr.  and 


96  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

Mrs.  James  Atkins  remember  hearing  the  scholars  at  four  o'clock  on 
winter  mornings  with  lanterns  in  hand  on  their  way  to  the  bath  house, 
where  the  ice  in  the  tubs  had  to  be  broken  before  the  morning  bath 
could  be  taken. 

At  this  time  many  noted  men  visited  Florence.  William  Lloyd  Gar- 
rison and  wife  spent  several  summers  here.  Wendell  Phillips,  George 
Thompson,  and  Henry  C.  Wright,  and  others  of  like  stamp,  addressed  the 
Sunday  meetings,  which  were  held  in  summer  under  the  gigantic  "old 
pine  "  tree.  When  winter  came  the  company  assembled  in  the  dining  room 
of  the  factory  building.  Sojourner  Truth,  the  African  sibyl,  could  hold  an 
audience  spellbound,  and  her  singing  always  brought  forth  applause. 
She  was  chief  laundress  of  week  days,  and  Mr.  Atkins  says  he  used  to 
help  her  wring  out  the  clothes  on  Mondays  when  work  in  his  department 
was  dull. 

Social  life  was  unconventional  and  free,  running  to  the  verge  of  pro- 
priety, but  never  beyond.  The  marriage  and  family  relations  were  held 
sacred,  and,  notwithstanding  reports  to  the  contrary,  no  scandal  ever 
occurred  within  the  association  fold.  Many  applied  for  membership  this 
year,  but  the  accommodations  were  already  crowded  and  only  enough 
were  received  to  fill  the  places  left  vacant  by  those  withdrawing. 

All  had  not  been  accustomed  to  hard  manual  labor,  and  it  is  no 
wonder  that  some  made  better  teachers  than  Community  farmers.  At 
one  time  a  new  gate  for  the  pasture  was  needed,  and  Dr.  Hudson  and 
Professor  Adam  spent  several  evenings  drafting  elaborate  plans  for  the 
new  structure,  only  to  abandon  them  all  finally  and  decide  to  make  the 
new  one  like  the  old. 

This  anecdote  is  equaled  only  by  an  incident  which  happened  at  a 
"candy  pull"  at  the  factory  boarding  house.  Everything  went  smoothly 
until  Professor  Adam  found  the  candy  clinging  closer  and  closer  to  his 
hands,  and  not  knowing  how  to  get  it  off  he  went  rushing  around  the 
room  with  open  hands  and  outstretched  arms. 

From  sixty-five  to  eighty  took  their  meals  at  the  common  table,  and 
nearly  this  number  found  shelter  under  the  factory  roof.  The  other 
members  occupied  the  seven  houses  owned  by  the  association,  which  were 
distributed  as  follows  :  The  Benson  house  at  the  junction  of  Maple 
and  Nonotuck  street  ;  the  Adam  house  on  Nonotuck  street,  later  known 
as  "No.  10,"  and  in  recent  years  occupied  by  Major  Angell  ;  the  "old 
silk  mill  boarding  house  "  ;  Josiah  White's  cottage,  which  stood  just  west 
of  the  boarding  house  ;  the  Mack  house  on  the  other  side  of  the  bridge, 
north  of  Spring  street  ;  the  Ross  homestead  and  Gaius  Burt's  cottage, 
both  near  the  Meadow  street  bridge. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    KI  H'iATION    AND    INIU'STRV. 


97 


TIIK   vf.ar 


1845- 


Extracts  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Abner  Sanger,  Danvers,  Mass., 
give  us  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the  opening  of  the  year.  The  letter 
was  evidently  written  by  Mr.  Hill,  and  was  signed  by  the  executive 
council,  and  the  department  directors. 

"  *  *  *  We  are  not  at  all  discouraged  or  disheartened  at  the  withdrawal  of 
'  those  friends  who  joined  us  with  ardent  hopes,  and  soon  left  us,'  for  we  have 
found  they  were  not  prepared  for  the  great 
sacrifices  (so  called),  the  labours  and  trials  to 
which  we  are  called,  and  their  absence  proves 
a  relief  rather  than  disappointment,  but  we 
are  aware  that  their  withdrawal  may  tend  to 
weaken  confidence  abroad  in  the  success  of  our 
enterprise,  and  that  in  some  instances  at  least 
they  have  used  their  influence  to  injure  our 
credit.  *  *  *  There  is  a  mutually  good  un- 
derstanding between  us.  and  we  have  full  con- 
fidence in  each  other,  and  in  our  ability  to 
transact  here  a  profitable  business.  We  are 
determined  to  prosecute  our  enterprise  to  suc- 
cess if  possible.     *     * 

"  We  rind  the  gross  earnings  of  the  Associ- 
ation for  the  year  1844,  57,361.19,  an  amount 
covering  the  estimated  cost  of  living  for  the 
year,  with  interest  and  expenses,  and  that  a 
great  proportion  of  that  sum,  say  at  least  $5,- 
000,  was  earned  the  last  six  months. 

"  In  the  result  of  past  exertions,  and  in  the 
increasing  advantages  for  business,  we  feel  that 
we  have  a  guaranty  of  future  success,  and,  un- 
less we  are  cramped  for  means  to  do  with,  the 
result  of  another  year  must  be  triumphantly 
decisive  and  cheering.     *     * "  J 

The  third  annual  meeting  of  the  association  was  held  on  January 
twenty-third,  and  lasted  several  days.  The  influence  exerted  by  "dis- 
affected members,"  who  had  withdrawn,  was  given  as  the  cause  of  the 
failure  to  raise  the  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  stock  subscription,  and 
many  members  expressed  the  opinion  that  "  perhaps  the  best  interests  of 
the  association  had  been  as  much  forwarded  by  our  disappointment  in 
this  respect  as  they  would  have  been  by  obtaining  the  end  proposed." 
As  the  various  department  reports  were  read,  many  complaints  were 
heard  regarding  the  management,  and  explanations  were  called  for. 
Some   time   before,  a  new  regulation   had   been  adopted    which   gave   the 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


members  the  privilege  of  criticising  one  another  as  to  conduct  or  habits 
and  shortcomings,  and  might  be  called  a  "  mutual  criticism  system." 
This  provided  for  an  officer  named  the  "  Intendant  of  Order,"  and  he 
was  required  "  to  suggest  to  every  one  connected  with  the  association 
the  proper  care  and  arrangement  of  the  property  or  business  of  the 
association,  and'  to  persevere  in  such  suggestions  until  they  were 
attended  to.  *  *  *  It  was  expressly  understood  that  the  Director 
had  no  power  authoritatively  to  interfere  in  the  business  of  any  depart- 
ment." The  first  one  to  hold  this  office  was  Elisha  L.  Hammond,  who 
received  his  appointment  on  the  eighteenth  of  January.  Benson,  Mack, 
and  Hill  were  re-elected  president,  secretary,  and  treasurer  respectively, 
and  the  annual  meeting  closed  by  adopting  a  set  of  by-laws  providing 
for  regular  reports  on  the  time  each  member  had  worked  ;  rendering  indi- 
vidual accounts  quarterly  ;  dividend  made  equally  to  all  members  in 
proportion  to  time  worked  ;  and  some  minor  matters. 

Early  in  January  the  Gazette 
printed   an    advertisement 
which   stated   that   the  Asso- 
ciation was   prepared  to  saw 
lumber  ;   that  "  Woodworth's 
patent  planing  machine"  soon 
would   be  in  operation  ;    that 
the    gristmill   did    a    general 
milling     business  ;     that    the 
association  would  make  boots 
and  shoes,  augers,  bits,  chis- 
els,etc.,  and  would  shoehorses 
and   oxen  ;     that   it   had  a  press   for  cutting  nuts,  washers  and   sawmill 
saws  ;  and  that  a  German  dyer  would  color  dresses,  shawls  and  stockings, 
wool,  cotton  or  linen. 

To  accommodate  the  increasing  number  of  those  desiring  to  live  at 
the  boarding  house,  several  changes  were  made  in  the  arrangements  at 
the  brick  factory.  The  kitchen  was  removed  to  the  basement,  the  din- 
ing room  occupied  a  large  room  in  the  second  story,  a  dumb  waiter 
running  up  from  the  kitchen  below,  and  the  space  thus  gained  on  the 
third  story  was  utilized  for  additional  sleeping  rooms.  The  new  dining 
room  was  dedicated  March  tenth,  1845. 

On  the  thirty-first  of  May,  Mr.  Benson,  as  president,  and  Mr.  Mack, 
as  secretary,  resigned.  Joseph  C.  Martin  was  elected  president,  and 
Hall  Judd  took  Mr.  Mack's  place.  In  June  negotiations  were  com- 
menced relative  to  starting  the  manufacture  of  cotton  in  the  factory 
building.     Mr.  Benson  was  to   form  a  stock  company  and  purchase  the 


A    HIGH    STREET    HOUSE. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OK    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY 


99 


factory,  and  in  this  way  the  association  hoped  to  liquidate  part  of  its 
debt,  which  steadily  increased  in  size  until  now  it  threatened  the  life  of 
the  association.     By  the   last    of  July   the   contract  was  signed,  and   the 

new  company  was  to  take  possession 
in  October.  To  take  the  place  of 
the  brick  factory,  the  association  be- 
gan the  erection  of  a  wooden  build- 
ing near  their  sawmill,  which  stood 
near  the  present  "  round  house"  of  the 
Nonotuck  Silk  Company.  Three  years 
of  toi!  and  struggle  had  had  its  effect 
on  some  of  the  members.  The  pros- 
pect of  success  seemed  farther  away 
than  ever,  and  on  September  fifth 
David  Mack  and  family  withdrew  from 
the  association.  Broken  down  in 
health,  he  repaired  to  Brattleboro,  and 
sought  recuperation  at  Woesselheft's 
water  cure.  Mr.  Mack,  one  of  the 
founders,  had  always  been  a  pillar  of 
the  association.  His  resignation  was 
followed  by  that  of  Mr.  Benson,  who 
withdrew  October  first  to  devote  his 
energies  to  the  cotton  enterprise. 
Thus  three  of  the  leaders  had  left,  but 
new  men  had  joined  who  put  their 
shoulders  to  the  wheel  with  renewed 
vigor.  Among  these  may  be  men- 
tioned  Hall    Judd,  Joseph  C.  Martin, 

William  F.  Parker,  James  A.  Stetson,  James  D.  Atkins,  and  E.  L.  Ham- 
mond. 

THE    LAST    YEAR. 

The  fourth  annual  meeting  was  held  on  January  twenty-eighth. 
Martin,  Judd,  and  Hill  were  re-elected  executive  council,  and  several  new 
members  were  received.  It  was  voted  to  allow  sixty  dollars  per  annum 
for  the  subsistence  of  every  member  over  eighteen  years  of  age,  forty 
dollars  for  those  between  ten  and  eighteen  years,  and  twenty  dollars  for 
those  under  ten  years  old.  It  was  also  voted  that  two  thirds  of  each 
person's  dividend  of  the  net  profit  should  be  invested  as  permanent  stock 
of  the  association. 

The  spring  passed  without  any  unusual  incidents  in  the  life  of  the 
association.     The  membership  list  had  diminished  somewhat,  but  those 


TOBOGGAN    CHUTE — WINTER    1886-S7. 


IOO  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

who  remained  displayed  unswerving  loyalty  to  the  cause  they  sought  to 
promote.  Extracts  from  a  letter  penned  by  Bailey  Birge  in  reply  to  an 
applicant  for  admission  tell  us  how  practical  this  body  of  reformers  had 
become. 

"  We  are  in  debt,  and  are  obliged  to  work  for  our  bread,  and  the  compensation 
for  labor  is  no  more  than  food,  raiment,  and  lodging,  which  I  take  it  is  all  any 
man  can  have  in  this  life.  Our  sources  of  pleasure  are  found  in  seeing  our  busi- 
ness prosper,  and  finding  our  brethren  contented,  cheerful,  and  industrious. 
With  regard  to  the  number  of  hours  that  our  members  labor,  they  are  gov- 
erned by  the  same  rules  that  govern  all  who  are  anxious  to  do  the  most  they 
can  to  promote  their  own  interest,  thereby  promoting  the  interest  of  all.  Your 
queries  I  will  answer  in  detail. 

"i.  'Is  the  divine  art  of  music,  "  the  soul  of  religion,"  as  you  are  pleased  to 
call  it  (though  why  I  cannot  perceive),  cultivated  among  you  ?  and  to  what 
extent?' — Answer.  Every  member  is  allowed  to  cultivate  this  '  divine  art  '  to 
any  extent  he  or  she  pleases,  provided  it  does  not  interfere  with  the  daily  duties 
and  calls  which  our  circumstances  require  from  them.  We  have  singing  in  great 
abundance.  The  birds  about  us  sing.  The  girls  in  the  factory  sing,  sometimes 
singly,  at  other  times  in  duet  and  trio,  making  sweet  melody  ;  at  other  times  all 
striking  different  tunes  ;  then  the  melody  is  not  so  sweet.  Every  one  sings  who 
pleases.  We  have  very  few  musical  instruments  among  us.  One  lady  has  a 
piano,  and  one  of  our  hired  men  had  a  fiddle,  but,  as  I  have  not  heard  it  lately,  I 
do  not  know  but  he  has  disposed  of  it. 

"  2.  'Are  there  many  well  educated  persons  among  you  ?  ' — Answer.  None 
to  boast  of. 

"  3.  '  What  is  the  state  of  moral  and  intellectual  cultivation  ?  ' — Answer. 
We  all  mean  to  behave  well,  and  so  teach  our  children.  Our  intellects  are  mostly 
exercised  in  contriving  ways  and  means  to  earn  a  livelihood  and  to  pay  our  debts. 

"  4.  '  What  arts  and  trades  are  pursued  by  the  members,  and  can  a  proba- 
tioner take  hold  of  any  occupation  he  likes  best  ?  ' — Answer.  One  member  is  a 
mason,  one  a  blacksmith,  one  a  ioiner,  one  a  shoemaker,  one  a  miller,  one  a  store- 
keeper and  bookkeeper,  one  an  overseer  in  silk  factory,  and  a  few  do  little  in  the 
way  of  labor,  but  see  to  providing  ways  and  means,  and  stand  ready  to  wait  upon 
the  working  men  and  women,  running  hither  and  thither  upon  their  call,  so  that 
they  are  not  obliged  to  drop  their  work  to  wait  upon  themselves.  These  we  call 
our  Executive.     *     *     * 

"  6;  '  Of  what  religious  sect  are  your  members  ?  ' — .  Insiver.  ( )t  no  particular 
sect.      Each  one  is  at  liberty  to  choose  his  own. 

"  7.  '  Is  the  location  of  the  place  agreeable  or  otherwise  ?  ' — Answer.  About 
si  >  so.     Not  remarkable  either  way. 

"8.  '  Is  the  intercourse  of  the  different  members  with  each  other  harmonious 
and  agreeable  ?  ' — Answer.     About  as  is  usual  in  good  neighborhoods. 

"  9.  '  Do  you  consider  the  community  a  suitable  and  advantageous  situation 
for  the  moral,  physical,  and  intellectual  development  of  the  man  ?' — Answer.  If 
you  allude  to  our  association,  1  should  say  not  for  a  man  of  your  '  turn  of  mind,' 
and  therefore  cannot  advise  you  to  come.'' 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


PICTURESQUE    BARN    IN    THE    MEADOW. 


The  summer  came  and    went,  but    brought  no  relict"  to   their  strait- 
ened financial  condition.     The  association  was  hopelessly  in  debt.     As  a 
matter  of  fact,  only  about    twenty  thousand   dollars  had   ever  been  sub- 
scribed.     This    amount     was 
paid    for    the    property,    and 
from    the    beginning    money 
had  been  borrowed  to  conduct 
the  business.     As    disaffected 
members  withdrew  their  stock, 
matters  grew  worse.     In  April, 

1844,  only  $17,000  was  invest- 
ed, and  the  debt  was  $30,000. 
By    the     thirty-first    of    July, 

1845,  the  figures  had  reached 
$39, 1 96, about  $25,000  of  winch 

was  in  the  form  of  a  permanent  loan.  In  June,  1846,  part  of  the  debt 
was  lifted  by  the  Bensonville  Manufacturing  Company  buying  the  brick 
factory,  together  with  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  but  the  erection  of  a 
new  mill  and  the  running  expenses  for  the  last  year  had  kept  the  liabili- 
ties near  the  forty  thousand  dollar  mark.  Dissolution  was  near  at  hand. 
The  following  quotations  from  the  secretary's  book  explain  themselves  : — 

"Regular  Monthly  Meeting.  September  26,  1846.  Met  at  J.  C.  Martin's. 
The  president  in  the  chair.  There  being  no  business  before  the  meeting,  there 
was  a  general  conversation  among  the  members  about  the  business,  prospects, 
etc.,  of  the  Association,  and  many  were  of  the  opinion  that  it  was  best  to  dis- 
solve, as  we  were  deeply  in  debt,  and  no  prospect  of  there  being  any  more  stock 
taken  up,  which  was  the  only  thing  that  could  relieve  us,  as  our  earnings  were 
not  large,  and  those  members  who  had  left  us,  whose  stock  was  due,  were  calling 
for  it.  etc.  Some  spoke  of  the  want  of  harmony  and  brotherly  feeling  which 
were  indispensably  necessary  to  the  success  of  such  an  enterprise.  Others  spoke 
of  the  unwillingness  to  make  sacrifices,  to  retrench  and  economize,  on  the  part 
of  some  of  the  members;  also  the  lack  of  industry  and  the  right  appropriation 
of  their  time  ;  also  the  apparent  unwillingness  of  some  of  the  parents  to  have 
their  children  labor  as  much  as  our  circumstances  seemed  to  require  they  should, 
and  the  indifference  to  the  same  thing,  on  the  part  of  others.  After  a  pretty  full 
discussion  of  the  matter,  the  meeting  adjourned." 

"At  an  informal  meeting  held  at  J.  C.  Martin's,  Nov.  7,  1846,  the  Executive 
Council  stated  that,  in  view  of  all  the  circumstances  of  the  Association,  they  had 
decided  upon  a  dissolution  of  the  several  departments  as  at  present  organized, 
and  should  proceed  to  close  the  affairs  of  the  Asson  in  accordance  with  the 
tenth  article  as  soon  as  practicable  ;  and  that  no  allowances  for  subsistence  of 
members  would  be  made  after  Now  1.  1846. 

"HALL  JUDD,  Secy." 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Thus  the  association  ended.  Mr.  Hill  assumed  its  liabilities,  sold 
parts  of  the  estate,  and  contirtued  the  silk  business.  The  members 
scattered,  some  remaining  in  Florence,  where  they  have  been  known  for 
their  honesty,  sobriety,  good  morals,  and  industry  and  zeal  in  working 
for  public  improvements. 

CAUSES    OF    DISSOLUTION. 

It  has  been  claimed  that  the  system  of  "  mutual  criticism  "  was  the 
rock  upon  which  the  association  split.  This  system  was  instituted,  hop- 
ing that  it  would  tend  to  the  mental  and  spiritual  growth  of  the  mem- 
bers. The  criticisms 
were  to  be  made  in 
a  spirit  of  brotherly 
love,  no  offense  being 
intended,  and  to  be 
received  in  a  spirit  of 
meekness  and  with  a 
desire  for  improve- 
ment. While  the  crit- 
icisms may  always 
have  been  in  the  right 
spirit,  some  did  not 
receive  them  with  due 
humility,  and  dissen- 
sions arose,  the  of- 
fended ones  seeking 
relief  by  withdrawing  from  the  association,  and  removing  from  the  local- 
ity. This  system  may  have  caused  the  resignation  of  some  members, 
but  it  is  extremely  doubtful  if  it  was  the  chief  factor  in  bringing  about 
the  final  dissolution.  To  quote  the  words  of  Samuel  L.  Hill  :  "The  last 
two  or  three  years  of  the  association  were  decidedly  pleasant  and  profit- 
able to  its  members,  except  pecuniarily  ;  they  acquired  a  mutual  famil- 
iarity with,  and  confidence  in,  each  other,  enabling  them  to  speak  plainly 
of  errors  and  faults  without  the  presence  of  anger,  and  to  discuss  calmly 
and  candidly  any  differences  of  opinion  upon  religious  or  other  sub- 
jects." 

This  statement  from  one  of  the  leaders,  who  remained  a  member  to 
the  end,  seems  to  indicate  that  the  "mutual  criticism  system  "  was  not 
so  powerful  a  disintegrating  element  as  some  would  have  us  believe. 
Had  the  association  started  on  a  better  financial  basis,  unincumbered 
by  a  large  loan,  and  with  means  sufficient  to  extend  its  business,  the 
experiment  might  have  resulted  very  differently. 


THE    PAUL    STRONG   TAVERN   TO-DAY. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OT'    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


103 


But  though  dissensions  among  members  and  financial  embarrassment 

contributed  their  share  to  the  final  result,  we  may  reasonably  conclude 
that  the  failure  was  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  the  world  was  not  ready 
for  the  experiment.  The  members  of  the  Northampton  association 
were  earnest  men  and  women.  They  set  themselves  a  lofty  ideal  of 
social  and  industrial  life,  of  human  brotherhood,  and  through  four  long 
years  struggled  to  overcome  the  many  obstacles  that  beset  their  path, 
enduring  many  hardships  and  privations.  Although  they  were  finally 
forced  to  abandon  their  experiment,  it  must  be  admitted  that  they  did 
not  wholly  fail. 

MEMBERSHIP    LIST. 

The  system  adopted  by  the  association  of  admitting  members  on 
probation  accounts  for  the  apparent  errors  in  the  list  below,  which  is 
copied  from  the  book  kept  by  the  secretary.  People  often  resided  in  the 
community  for  a  year  before  being  admitted  as  regular  members.  Dur- 
ing the  last  twelve  months  the-^ecretary  did  not  take  very  great  pains  to 
enter  names  and  withdrawals7"and  in  some  cases  these  have  been  supplied 
from  the  other  records. 


NAMES. 

William  Adam,  wife,  4  children, 

James  D.  Atkins, 

George  Ashley, 

George  Benson,  wife,  4  children, 

*Frances  P.  Birge, 

Samuel  Brooks,  wife,  7  children, 

Samuel  A.  Bottum,  wife, 

tRoxey  A.  Brown, 

James  Boyle,  wife, 

Wm.  J.  Bumstead,  wife,  3  children, 

Luther  Brigham,  4  children, 

Susan   Byrne, 

William  Bassett,  wife,  4  children, 

Cyrus  Bradbury, 

Elizabeth  Ely  Bradbury, 

Sarah  Elizabeth   Bradbury, 

Bailey  Birge,  wife,  3  children, 

Joseph  Conant,  wife, 

Orwell  S.  Chaffee,  wife,  1  child, 

George  Cooper, 

|Octavia  M.  Damon, 

Sophia  Foorde, 

Emily  Farwell, 


FROM. 

Cambridge, 
Old  Cambridge, 
Chaplin,  Ct., 
Brooklyn,  Ct., 
Colebrook,  Ct., 
Hadley, 
Mansfield,  Ct., 
Bloomfield,  Ct., 
Boston, 

Bloomfield,  Ct., 
Worcester, 
Willimantic,  Ct., 
Lynn, 
Boston, 


Colebrook,  Ct. 
Mansfield,  Ct, 


Chesterfield, 

Dedham, 

Cambridge, 


April  8,  1842. 
Sept.  28,  1842. 
Jan.  13,  1844. 
April  8,  1S42. 
May  28,  1842. 
April  9,  1842. 
April  8,  1842. 
Nov.  12,  1842. 
June  5,  1842. 
Nov.  16,  1842. 
Nov.  29,  1843. 
Nov.  4,  1843. 
Feb.  24,  1844. 
April  4,  1844. 
April  4,  1844. 
April  4,  1844. 
Jan.  31,  1846. 
April  S,  1842. 
April  24,  1842. 
April  15,  1843. 
Sept.  30,  1844. 
April  15,  1843. 
June  17,  1843. 


WITHDREW. 

Jan.  2,  1844. 
March  6,  1847. 
Dec.  28, 1845. 
Oct.  1,  1845. 

March,  1843. 
Oct.  13,  1843. 


July,  1844. 
Nov.  18,  1844. 
Dec.  2,  1844. 


Oct.  8,  1S42. 
Oct.  22.  1842. 
Sept.  12,  1843. 
March  6,  1847. 
June  12,  1845. 


*  Married  Hall  Judd,  June  1,  1842. 

t  Married  A.  R.  Nickerson,  June  8,  1S44. 

%   Married  James  D.  Atkins,  Sept.  30,  1844. 


io4 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


NAMES. 
Gustavus  Gifford, 
Rosvvell  K.  Goodwin, 
Caroline  M.  Gove, 

Erasmus  G.  Hudson,  wife,  2  childien, 
Rhoda  Hudson, 
Romulus  Fowler  Hudson, 
Samuel  L.  Hill,  wife,  3  children, 
Sally  Hill,  4  children, 
Josiah  Hayward,  wife,  3  children, 
William  Haven,  wife,  7  children, 
Matilda  Hill,  4  children, 
Lucy  Charlotte  Hayden, 
*  Harriet  W.  Hayden, 
Elisha  L.  Hammond,  wife, 
Hall  Judd, 
William  Larned, 
David  Mack,  wife,  2  children, 
Charles  May, 
Abner  S.  Meade, 
Littleton  T.  Morgan, 
Moses  K.  Meader, 
George  W.  Miller, 
A.  Menkin,  M.  D., 
Joseph  C.  Martin,  wife,  4  children, 
Lorenzo  D.  Nickerson, 
Enos  L.  Preston,  wife,  1  child, 
William  F.  Parker,  wife,  2  children, 
Susan  F.  Parker, 
Oliver  D.  Paine, 
George  Prindle, 
Fortune  R.  Porter, 
Lydia  P>.  Pierce, 
Nancy  Richardson,  4  childien, 
David   Ruggles. 
Stephen  C.  Rush, 
Lucius  F.  Reede, 
Austin  Ross,  wife, 
Ezra  Rosbrooks, 
Polly  Rosbrooks, 
Louisa  C.  Rosbrooks, 
Francis  O.  Rosbrooks, 
Three  Rosbrooks  children, 
Theodore  Scarborough,  wife,  1  child, 
Jason  Sullaway,  wife, 
Pamelia  Small,  1  child, 
Earle  Dwight  Swift,  wife, 
Herbert  Scarborough, 
Mary  Ann  Smith, 


FROM. 
Nantucket, 

Lynn, 

Bloomfield,  Ct., 
Wolcottville, 
Bloomfield,  Ct., 
Willimantic,  Ct., 
Northampton, 
Salem, 

Windham,  Ct., 
Willimantic,  Ct., 
Path,  Me., 

New  Ipswich,  N.H 

Northampton, 

Boston, 

Cambridge, 

Benton,  Ala., 

Danvers, 

Cambridge, 

Nantucket, 

Boston, 

Chaplin,  Ct., 
Boston, 
Brooklyn,  Ct., 
Nantucket, 

Chesterfield, 
New  Haven,  Ct., 
New  York, 

Waltham, 

New  York, 

Cummington, 
Chaplin,  Ct., 
Cicero,  N.  Y., 


Brooklyn,  Ct., 
Canton, 
Norwich,  Ct., 
Mansfield,  Ct., 
Brooklyn,  Ct., 
Bloomfield,  Ct., 


ENTERED. 

Nov.  29,  1842. 
Nov.  25,  1843. 
June  25,  1844. 
April  8,  1842. 
Feb.  1 1,  1843. 
April  8,  1842. 
April  8,  1842. 
April  8,  1842. 
March  8,  1843. 
May  4,  1S43. 
Jan.  13,  1844. 
April  to,  1844. 
April  10,  [844. 
,  May  16,  1844. 
May  28,  1842 
Oct.  15,  1842. 
May  15,  1S42. 
Jan.  13,  1843. 
Dec.  6,  1842. 
July  28,  1S43. 
April  15,  1843. 
July  22,  1843. 
Jan.  13,  1844. 
April  9,  1844. 
April  15,  1843. 
Sept.  3,  1842. 
Oct.  22,  1842. 
Jan.  14,  1843. 
April  10,  1842. 
May  13,  1S43. 
Aug.  19,  1843. 
Feb.  25,  1843. 
Sept.  24,  1842 
Nov.  30,  1842. 
Nov.  4,  1843. 
May  20,  1S43. 
Mar.  29,  1845. 
Jan.  26,  1844. 
Jan.  26,  1844. 
Jan.  26,  1844. 
Jan.  26,  1844. 
Jan.  26,  1S44. 
April  8,  1S42. 
April  17,  1842. 
April  8,  1842. 
April  8,  1S42. 
Jan.  14,  1843. 
Jan.  8,  1843. 


WITHDREW. 


Sept.  16,  1843. 
May  13,  1843. 


Sept.  23,  1842 
July  2,  1844. 


Nov.  1,  1846. 

Aug.  2,  1843. 
Sept.  5,  1845. 


April  3,  1844. 

March,  1844. 

Nov.,  1843. 
July,  1S43. 


June  16,  1845. 
May,  1S45. 
Jan.  31,  1844. 


April  23,  1846. 
Nov.,  1843. 


May  31,  1845. 
Oct.,  1S42. 


*  Married  Sidney  Soutllworth,  July  3,  1844. 


NORTHAMPTON    ASSOCIATION    OF    EDUCATION    AND    INDUSTRY. 


I05 


NAMES.  FROM.  ENTERED. 

Calvin  Stebbins,  wife,  2  children,  Wilbraham,  May  7,  1843. 

William  Stearns,  wife,  1  child,  Waltham,  March  25,  1843. 

James  A.  Stetson,  wife,  6  children,       Brooklyn,  Ct.,  April  20,  1843. 

Lama  Stebbins,  Springfield,  July  8,  1843. 

George  Washington  Sullivan,  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov.  3,  1843. 

Sidney  Southworth,  Boston,  Jan.  27,  1844. 

George  Thurber,  wife,  1  child,  "  April  17,  1S42. 

Hiram  Wells,  wife,  1  child,  Mansfield,  Ct.,  April  8,  1842. 

Joseph  S   Wall,  wife,  Worcester,  April  10,  1842. 

Wm.  G.  Wilson,  Vergennes,  Vt.,  Feb.  4,  1843. 

James  Willey,  Hartford,  Ct.,  Mar   16,  1843 

Lyman  F.  Wight,  Easthampton,  Aug.  19,  1S43. 

Thomas  Whitmarsh,  Northampton,  Nov.  25,  1843. 


WITHDREW. 

May  16,  1844. 
Nov.,  1843. 
March  16,  1846. 
Jan.  30,  1844. 


Aug.  19,  1843. 

Aug.  8,  1845. 
July  8,  1843. 
April  8,  1843. 
1S43. 
Dec,  1843. 


Statistics  :     The  whole  number  of  names  enrolled  is  two  hundred  and 
ten.     These    two  hundred   and    ten   people    represented    eight  different 


QUARRY    IN    CHESTNUT   STREET    WOODS. 


states,  being  divided  as  follows  :  Massachusetts,  ninety-eight  ;  Con- 
necticut, eighty-eight  ;  New  York,  ten;  New  Hampshire,  three  ;  Maine, 
two;  Vermont,  one  ;   Alabama,  one  ;   Maryland,  one  ;   Unknown,  six. 

As  far  as  ascertained  the  adult  members  who  are  still  living  are  : 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  D.  Atkins,  Mr.  Samuel  Bottom,  Mrs.  Joseph  C.  Martin, 
Mr.  Austin  Ross,  all  in  Florence  ;  Mrs.  Hiram  Wells,  Mittineague,  Mass.  ; 
Mrs.  A.  R.  Nickerson,  Appleton,  Wis.  ;  Mr.  Lucius  Bumstead,  Colorado 
Springs,  Colo.,  aged  eighty-five  ;  Mrs,  Scarborough,  Northampton,  Mass.  ; 


io6 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Mrs.    James    Stetson,    Brooklyn,    Conn.,    aged    eighty-seven  ;    Romulus 
Fowler  Hudson,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  ;   Oliver   D.  Payne,  Youngstown,  Ohio. 
Notes. — Many  interesting  items  appear  in  the  old  account  books  of 
the  association,  but  only  a  few  can  be  given  here. 

"  Jason  Sulloway,  Dr. 

To  horse  to  Springfield,  .50 

"  Educational  Department,  Dr. 

To  cash  paid  Toll  for  the  children  to  Mount  Holyoke,  .33 

"  Wm.  L.  Garrison,* 

To  Expense  Account,  Dr. 

To  Self  &  wife — Board   from  Aug.   17  to   Sept.   19 — 9 

weeks,  3  days,  12.57  " 

The    following  items    show  the    cost  of    articles  at  the  Community 
store  : — 


"Sam  A.  Bottum,  Dr. 

To  I  doz.  eggs  at  10  c  , 
"  Mary  Ann  Smith,  Dr. 

To  1  Back  Comb, 
"  David  Mack,  Dr. 

To  50  Herring  at  ±  c, 
"Geo.  A.  Hill,  Dr. 

To  1  Neck  Collar, 
"  Boarding  House,  Dr. 

To  i  doz.  Britannia  Spoons,  at  10  s. 


•05 
•03 

.20 
■83" 


New  milk  sold  for  two  cents  and  skim  milk  for  one  cent  a  quart. 
Butter  sold  for  ten  cents  and  coffee  for  eleven  cents  a  pound.  Veal  cost 
four  cents,  pork  six  cents,  mutton  five  cents,  and  beef  three  and  one- 
fourth  cents  a  pound. 


*The  famous  Abolitionist. 


CHAPTER  X. 
ABRIDGED  ANNALS. 

How  Florence  Took  its  Name. —  Population. —  First  Store. — Post  Office  Estab- 
lished.— Casualties. — Cemeteries. 

From  the  very  early  days  of  Northampton  till  1847,  tne  locality  now 
called  Florence  was  known  as  "  Broughton's  Meadow  Plain,"  or  simply 
as  "Broughton's  Meadow."  Soon  after  1810  another  name  was  applied 
commonly  to  this  region,  namely  the  "  Warner  School  District."  The 
Northampton  Association  of  Education  and  Industry  was  started  in 
18.42,  and  while  it  existed  the  common  term  given  to  the  settlement  was 
''The  Community."  In  1848  these  three  names  gave  way  to  Bensonville, 
and  when  two  years  later  Mr.  Benson  failed,  and  the  old  appellation 
became  objectionable,  the  village  was  called  Greenville,  from  the  new 
cotton  company. 

In  the  fall  of  1852  a  meeting  of  the  villagers  was  held  in  the  South 
schoolhouse  to  choose  a  name  for  the  place.  Postal  communication 
was  soon  to  be  established  and  a  new  name  was  desired.  "  Shepherd's 
Hollow  "  with  its  woolen  mills  had  been  named  "  Leeds  "  after  the  city 
of  Leeds,  in  England,  and  the  name  of  the  great  silk  emporium  of  Italy 
was  offered  by  Dr.  Munde  as  a  suitable  appellation  for  this  place.  The 
pretty  village,  the  clear  stream,  the  silk  mill,  all  suggested  to  his  vivid 
imagination  the  propriety  of  naming  the  village  "  Florence,"  and  the 
stream  "  Arno."  The  citizens  thought  well  of  the  neat  and  euphonious 
"  Florence  "  and  unanimously  adopted  it,  but  the  "  Arno  "  never  replaced 
the  historic  term  of  "  Mill  River." 

POPULATION. 

In  1800  the  population  of  this  district  was  not  far  from  fifteen  ;  in 
1820  the  number  had  increased  to  about  fifty,  and  in  1845,  while  the 
Community  was  in  progress,  probably  two  hundred  and  twenty  per- 
sons were  living  in  this  vicinity.  During  the  next  ten  years  many 
persons  came  to  Florence  and  by  i860  the  population  was  one  thousand. 
In  1863  it  is  quoted  as  twelve  hundred  and  eighty-two,  in  1864,  fourteen 
hundred  and  forty-two,  and  in  1865  it  was  sixteen  hundred  and  fifty-four. 
The  village  was  making  rapid  growth  at  this  time,  and  by  1867  it  is 
estimated  that  the  number  had  reached  about  two  thousand.  Since 
that  time  a  more  gradual  increase  has  been  noted,  until  to-day  the  popu- 
lation of  Florence  is  not  far  from  thirty-five  hundred. 


io8 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


FIRST    STORE. 

The  first  store  in  Florence  was  established  by  the  "Northampton 
Association  "  in  April,  1842.  On  the  seventeenth  of  that  month  the  stock 
directors  voted  "  That  Mr.  Conant  be  authorized  to  purchase  groceries 
.according  to  his  best  judgment  for  the  use  of  the  Community  and  that 
a  store  be  fitted  up  for  their  reception."  Later  it  was  resolved  "  That 
individuals  and  families  not  belonging  to  the  Community  may  be  fur- 
nished with  articles  from  the  Community's  Store  at  an  addition  of  ten 
per  cent,  to  the  cost  charged  to  members."  Hall  Judd  was  clerk  in  this 
store. 

After  the  Community  dissolved,  Mr.  Hill  continued  the  business  alone 
till  the  fall  of  1850,  when  Isaac  S.  Parsons,  son  of  Captain  Samuel  Par- 
sons of  Northampton,  moved  to  Florence  and  formed  a  partnership  with 
Mr.  Hill  under  the  name  of  I.  S.  Parsons  &  Company.  This  store  was 
in  a  one  story  brick  building,  which  was  built  by  Mr.  Hill  soon  after 
1847  f°r  a  s'lk  rnill  and  office,  and  now  forms  the  western  end  of  the 
Nonotuck  Silk  Company's  office  building.  Bailey  Birge  succeeded  Mr. 
Judd  as  clerk,  and  later  several  young  men  who  are  now  at  the  head  of 
the  mercantile  interests  of  the  village  received  their  first  training  in  this 
store.  The  list  includes  R.  M.  Branch,  L.  F.  S.  Plimpton,  and  Henry 
Cutler. 

THE    POST    OFFICE. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  of  December,  1852,  after  much  hard  labor, 
owing  to  the  opposition  made  by  the  postmaster  of  Northampton,  a  post 

office  was  established  in 
Florence,  and  Mr.  I.  S.  Par- 
sons was  appointed  post- 
master, a  position  which  he 
filled  for  sixteen  years.  Mr. 
Henry  Cutler  was  clerk  for 
Mr.  Parsons  during  a  greater 
part  of  this  time. 

Before  '52  all  the  Florence 
mail  had  been  placed  in  Mr. 
S.  L.  Hill's  box,  No.  175,  at 
the  Northampton  office,  and 
he  brought  it  each  day  to 
the  village.  For  months  after  the  petition  had  been  sent  to  Washington, 
those  who  opposed  the  change  were  successful  in  preventing  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  new  office,  on  the  ground  that  Florence  was  not  two  miles 
from  Leeds.      At  this  time  a  general  rule  provided  that  no  office  should  be 


MAPLE    STREET. NEAR    WEST    CENTER    STREET. 


AI'.Rll.HlKn   ANNALS. 


IO9 


established  within  two  miles  of  any  other  office,  unless  the  postmaster 
general  could  be  convinced  that  one  was  really  needed.  William  F. 
Quigley's  (later  Oliver  Thayer's)  stage  carried  the  one  daily  mail.  It 
went  towards  Northampton  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  towards 
Leeds  at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

From  1852  to  1868  the  office  was  at  the  brick  store  of  I.  S.  Parsons  & 
Co.,  then  for  a  few  weeks  it  was  at 
Mr.  Haven's  house,  until  Mr.  Cutler 
received  the  appointment,  and  it  was 
removed  to  the  building  now  Cutler, 
Plimpton  &  Co.'s.  In  1884  it  was 
transferred  to  the  building  erected  for 
it,  on  Maple  street,  near  Main  street, 
where  it  has  since  been. 

The  postmasters  have  been  as  fol- 
lows :  I.  S.  Parsons,  appointed  Dec. 
28,  1852;  J.  L.  Otis,  1868;  Henry 
F.  Cutler,  1S6S  ;  Maj.  J.  F.  Angell, 
1884  ;  H.  K.  Parsons,  April  8,  1889  ; 
William  M.  Smith,  July  13,  1891. 

Casualties. — On  July  n,  1859,  the 
steam  boiler  in  Hiram  Wells  &  Com- 
pany's machine  works  (which  stood 
on  the  site  of  the  present  oil-gas  stove 
plant)  exploded  ten  minutes  before 
seven  o'clock,  killing  the  engineer, 
Frank  Spear,  and  injuring  Mr.  Wells, 
so  that  he  lived  but  twenty-four  hours. 
John  Franzen  was  badly  burned,  and 
died  after  six  weeks  of  suffering.  Mr. 
C.  B.  Rose,  the  superintendent  of  the 
foundry  and  pattern  shop,  was  badly 
scalded  and  bruised.  Wells  and  Rose 
were  in  the  workshop  and  nearly  opposite  the  rear  end  of  the  boiler. 

The  engine,  a  machine  of  ten  horse  power,  had  not  been  used  for  a 
week  on  account  of  repairs,  but  had  been  tried  on  Saturday  and  Sunday, 
and  found  to  be  in  good  running  order.  On  Monday  morning,  a  good 
fire  had  been  made  under  the  boiler,  and  at  ten  minutes  of  seven  steam 
was  issuing  from  the  safety  valve.  Spear  received  orders  to  weight 
down  the  valve,  which  he  reluctantly  did,  and,  as  the  steam  was  forcing  its 
way  through  one  of  the  gauges  in  consequence  of  the  increased  weight 
on  the  valve,  he  remarked  to  Franzen  (who  was  sitting  near  by  smoking, 


"And  all  around  me  every  bush  and  tree 
Says  Autumn's  here,  and  Winter  soon  will  be.'' 

— Lowell. 


HO  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

waiting  for  the  machinery  to  start  up),  that  if  the  boiler  should  burst 
then,  he  would  catch  it.  A  moment  after  it  burst,  scattering  the  bricks 
over  a  distance  of  five  or  six  rods,  and  covering  the  body  of  the  engineer 
in   the  ruins.      He  lived  till  9.30  a.m. 

The  boiler  was  thirty  feet  in  length,  and  had  two  flues,  both  of  which 
collapsed.  The  discharge  of  steam  forced  down  an  eight-inch  brick 
wall,  and  moved  the  heavy  iron  machinery  three  or  four  feet.  The 
explosion  shook  the  ground  throughout  the  neighborhood. 

Mr.  Spear  was  thirty-eight  years  old,  and  Mr.  Wells  forty-eight  years. 
Each  left  a  wife  and  two  children. 


Edwin  Thwing  lost  his  life  in  the  machine  shop  connected  with  the 
silk  mill,  Saturday,  April  18,  1861.  It  was  a  rainy  day  and  the  water  was 
dripping  through  an  open  skylight  upon  his  tools  in  the  shop.  He  went 
to  the  attic  to  close  the  skylight,  but,  through  carelessness,  allowed  his 
clothes  to  catch  in  the  shafting  which  ran  near  the  top  of  the  room. 
He  was  whirled  around  the  shaft  with  great  rapidity,  death  coming  in  a 
few  seconds. 


CEMETERIES. 


Soon  after  1820  Josiah  White,  the  oil-maker,  gave  the  town  a  little 
plot  of  land  for  a  cemetery,  and  in  1825  the  first  burial  was  made  there. 
This  plot  was  the  northeast  corner  of  the  present  Park  street  cemetery, 
and  the  original  gift  included  the  land  on  which  the  North  schoolhouse 
was  afterward  built.  This  schoolhouse  was  given  to  Samuel  L.  Hill  in 
1863  (on  consideration  that  he  would  build  a  larger  one  to  replace  the 
South  schoolhouse)  and  he  sold  it  soon  after  to  private  parties,  and  they 
acquired  the  land  by  "  peaceful  possession."  So  through  carelessness 
this  portion  of  Josiah  White's  gift  was  forfeited.  During  the  fifties  it 
was  seen  that  a  larger  burial  ground  would  soon  be  required,  and  on 
May  4,  1858,  the  town  paid  Mr.  A.  P.  Critchlow  seventy-five  dollars  for 
enough  land  to  make  the  lot  nearly  square. 

By  1881  the  growth  of  the  village  warranted  the  purchase  of  addi- 
tional ground  for  burial  purposes.  There  had  been  a  strong  desire 
among  many  residents  of  Florence  that  the  two  places,  Florence  and 
Northampton  center,  might  sometime  be  merged  into  one,  and  when,  in 
1881,  the  town  purchased  the  Dennison  water  cure  property  for  a  bury- 
ing ground,  there  was  much  dissatisfaction  expressed  among  some  who 
foresaw  that  this  move  would  mean  death  to  their  hopes.  Timely  agi- 
tation of  the  subject  brought  about  the  desired  result,  however,  and  at 
the  annual   town   meeting,  held   March   20,  1882,  the    town   rescinded  its 


ABRIDGED    ANNALS.  Ill 

vote  of  the  year  previous  whereby  the  Dennison  property  was  to  be 
plotted  and  staked  off  for  burial  lots,  and  the  Florence  cemetery  matter 
was  referred  to  a  committee  of  five.  This  committee,  consisting  of 
H.  K.  Parsons,  W.  H.  Riley,  L.  F.  S.  Plimpton,  J.  L.  Otis,  and  G.  H.  Ray, 
reported  June  19,  1882,  recommending  the  purchase  of  a  large  tract  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  village  known  as  the  "  Graves  and  Warner  " 
lots.  The  land  was  bought  for  $1,731,  and  by  the  year  following  the 
amount  of  money  expended  for  the  land  and  putting  it  in  shape  had 
reached  $3,891.96.  The  first  burial  took  place  in  April,  1883,  and  before 
the  year  closed  a  receiving  tomb  had  been  built  at  a  cost  of  $700.  To 
transform  the  wild  waste  into  a  suitable  burying  ground  was  no  small 
task,  and  the  present  Spring  Grove  cemetery,  although  not  famous  for 
its  attractiveness,  is  a  spot  of  natural  beauty  and  some  day  will  be  a 
park  that  the  village  will  take  pride  in. 


SPRING    GROVE   CEMETERY. 


JkondJ  \ 


c 


;       OLD 

•T]A\ES  • 
\  KELIGIOV5  —    f       > 
<L     \    *  EDVCATIONALI     *JT 
JAM5CELLANEOV51 

^f  biographical;* 


NDU5TRIAL 


*L/ 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMES 


REMINISCENCES. 
By  Frances  P.  Judd. 


In  attempting-  to  recall  the  early  days  of  what  is  now  Florence,  one 
cannot  avoid  in  a  measure  living  it  all  over  again  ;  of  thinking  of  one's  self 
as  young  and  hopeful,  and  full  of  the  enthusiasm  of  new  ideas,  and  new 
aspirations  for  higher  and  purer  conditions  of  humanity.  A  half  century 
has  gone  by  since  then,  with  many  changes  for  the  writer,  but  with  no 
abatement  of  the  interest  then  felt  in  social,  religious,  and  political 
reforms.  I  well  remember  the  first  time  I  saw  the  place  which  was  after- 
wards to  be  the  scene  of  so  much  struggle,  enjoyment,  disappointment, 
and  sorrow  ;  struggle  with  poverty,  not  scarcity  of  the  necessaries  of  life,, 
but  an  ever  present  consciousness  of  the  necessity  of  self-denial  and  rigid 
economy  ;  enjoyment  of  congenial  society,  a  common  purpose  in  life,  and 
a  mutual  desire  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  mankind.  The  end 
desired  could  not  be  reached  in  the  way  we  had  hoped,  hence  our  disap- 
pointment. 

I  came  from  Northampton  one  beautiful  Sunday  in  spring,  a  friend 
driving  in  to  bring  me  and  another,  to  see  the  place  which  we  hoped 
would  be  to  us  a  paradise.  We  came  out  by  Prospect  street,  then  down 
what  is  now  Pine  street,  and  across  the  lot  to  the  back  door  of  the  house 
that  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Benson  and  his  large  family.  This  house  was 
at  the  corner  of  what  is  now  Maple  and  Nonotuck  streets.  It  seemed  to 
be  in  a  wilderness.  A  pine  grove  and  ravine  were  west  of  it,  and  the  land 
to  the  east  was  covered  with  mulberry  bushes.  Indeed,  the  side  hill  and 
plain  above  were  given  up  to  the  "  moms  multicaulis." 

The  only  names  I  had  heard  in  connection  with  the  new  enterprise 
were  those  of  Benson,  Hill,  Adam,  and  Mack.  The  matter  of  our  joining 
the  "  Northampton  Association  "  was  discussed  that  day,  and  when  we 
returned  to  Northampton  the  question  was  put  to  me,  "  Shall  we  take 
what  little  money  we  have  and  cast  in  our  lot  with  these  people,  who 
everybody  says  are  visionary,  fanatical,  and  foolish,  or  shall  we  go  else- 
where to  make  our  home  and  get  our  living?"  I  said,  "We  will  join 
them."  In  a  short  time  we  married,  and  came  here.  This  was  in  1842, 
and  here  my  home  has  since  been. 


n6 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


The  association  was  formed.  New  people  constantly  came,  drawn  by 
sympathy  of  views  on  one  subject  or  another;  all  were  earnest  in  the 
anti-slavery  cause  ;  many  were  deeply  interested  in  non-resistance  ;  all 
were  temperance  people  and  some  had  suffered  expulsion  from  the 
churches  for  their  course  on  anti-slavery  or  other  matters.  They  came 
together,  and  the  former  inhabitants  of  this  rural  hamlet  looked  on  with 
suspicion  and  distrust  at  this  new  order  of  things.  These  people,  who 
had  invaded  their  formerly  quiet  domain,  had  such  strange  notions  ; 
many  of  them  imbued  with  Quaker  ideas  and  thinking  all  days  alike 
holy.  Some  did  not  reverence  the  church  and  priesthood  ;  some  were 
advocates  of  vegetarianism,  discarding  animal  food  and  all  stimulating 
drinks.     No  wonder  we  were  "  past  finding  out."     I  do  not  know  that 


WILDER    PLACE — PARK    STREET. 


any  of  our  people  were  immoral,  or  that  their  neighbors  could  accuse 
them  of  dishonesty  in  their  dealings,  or  anything  worse  than  their  disre- 
gard of  outward  religious  observances. 

Houses  were  scarce,  and  to  accommodate  all  who  wished  to  join  us, 
part  of  the  brick  factory  was  fitted  up  as  a  boarding  house.  The  quar- 
ters were  rude  and  plain,  and  the  fact  that  the  members  were  willing  to 
submit  to  the  many  inconveniences,  and  to  forego  all  luxuries  and  many 
of  the  comforts  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed,  showed  how  dear 
to  their  hearts  was  the  cause  they  had  espoused. 

The  "  labor  question  "  was,  even  then,  stirring  earnest  and  philan- 
thropic souls,  and  the  fact  that  the  employees  in  the  silk  factory  were 
confined  twelve  hours  a  day  led  some  of  our  zealous  members  to  express 
themselves  earnestly  against  it,  and  to  advocate  a  reduction  of  the  hours 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMES. 


117 


of  labor.  That  the  immediate  consequences  of  this  proceeding  were 
injurious  to  the  financial  interests  of  the  association,  there  is  no  doubt, 
but  the  final  result  was  satisfactory,  especially  to  those  who  gained  an 
hour  a  day  for  rest  and  recreation  by  the  change  from  twelve  to  eleven 
hours. 

The  question  of  the  equality  of  the  sexes  was  never  discussed.  It 
was  accepted  as  one  of  our  fundamental  principles.  A  wife  has  been 
known  to  vote  contrary  to  her 
husband,  and  the  family  re- 
main intact.  Some  of  the 
more  timid  women  looked  to 
their  husbands  as  their  teach- 
ers, in  accordance  with  St. 
Paul's  injunction,  "Ask  thy 
husband  at  home."  I  remem- 
ber one  instance  when  some 
subject  was  under  consider- 
ation, the  opinion  of  the  mem- 
bers was  asked  regarding  it. 
One  woman  replied,  "  My 
opinion  has  gone  to  the  West," 
referring     to     her    husband's 

-  ,  xt  i-  THE    liENSON    HOUSE   ON    MAIN    STREET. 

absence  from  home.      No  dis- 
tinction was  made  on  account  of  color.     When  David  Ruggles  came  here 
from  New  York   to  find   a   refuge,  he  was  welcomed  and   treated  as  an 
honored  friend,  and  so  were  many  others. 

After  four  years  of  struggle,  it  was  thought  best  to  disband.  For 
various  reasons  many  persons  had  withdrawn  and  gone  away  to  resume 
their  former  vocations  under  the  ordinary  conditions  of  society.  Some 
remained  and  pursued  their  various  callings.  Meanwhile,  the  population 
outside  the  community  had  increased  ;  new  branches  of  industry  had 
been  started,  so  all  could  find  employment. 

New  schoolhouses  were  built,  one  for  a  primary  school  on  the  site  of 
the  old  one,  which  had  been  removed,  and  one  near  where  the  present 
fine  edifice  stands.  It  was  plain,  and  small,  and  inconvenient,  in  the 
light  of  the  present  time,  but  to  us  then  it  was  a  great  improvement 
over  most  of  the  country  schoolhouses.  It  served  many  purposes.  On 
Sundays  it  was  used  for  religious  meetings.  The  Congregational,  the 
Methodist,  and  the  Free  Congregational  societies,  all  had  their  beginning 
there.  New  enterprises  were  started,  new  societies  were  formed,  and 
meetings  for  other  purposes  enlisted  the  attention  of  the  people.  At 
that  time  anti-slavery  was  the  great  subject  in  the   minds  of  the  whole 


Il8  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

nation.  I  think  it  would  be  true  to  say  that  the  people  of  Florence  were 
on  the  right  side.  I  am  sure  a  person  must  have  been  very  bold  to  have 
argued  in  favor  of  the  slave  system,  and  the  cases  were  rare  when  it  was 
done. 

Perhaps  no  place  of  its  size  has  had  so  much  of  interest  in  its  history 
as  Florence.  The  best  speakers  on  every  subject  have  been  heard  here. 
There  has  always  been  a  platform  to  which  all  reforms  have  been  wel- 
comed, and  an  opportunity  given  to  all  to  hear  the  best  thought  on  every 
subject.  This  opportunity  has  been  well  improved.  Those  who  have 
enjoyed  the  rich  treats  which  have  been  provided  have  been  strengthened 
and  enriched  thereby.  The  seed  thus  sown  has  not  been  lost.  Not  all 
fell  upon  good  ground,  but  enougli  did  to  make  Florence  the  home  of 
free  thought,  and  of  great  tolerance  of  the  diversity  of  views  which  nec- 
essarily prevail  in  such  a  community. 

Florence,  as  "  Broughton  Meadows,"  was  beautiful.  The  river,  the 
meadows,  the  sandy  plain  with  its  fine  views,  then  unobstructed  by  trees 
or  buildings,  made  it  very  attractive  fifty  years  ago.  The  Florence  of 
to-day  still  has  its  river,  its  meadows,  and  its  plain,  but  now  the  meadows 
and  the  plain  have  changed.  Houses  cover  the  plain,  factories  and 
shops  are  numerous,  and  their  number  is  constantly  increasing.  Still 
"  beautiful  for  situation  "  is  Florence,  and  may  her  people  be  as  good  as 
their  home  is  beautiful. 


WHEN  I  WAS  A  BOY. 

By  Geokge  R.  Stetson,  New  Bedford,  Mass. 

My  recollections  of  the  Community  are  those  of  boyhood,  and  I  can 
only  give  some  idea  of  the  life  of  a  boy.  As  I  reflect  on  the  methods 
adopted  for  our  education  and  government,  I  am  led  to  believe  that  the 
hope  of  our  parents  and  the  controlling  minds  in  the  Community  was  so 
to  educate  the  children  that,  in  their  maturer  years,  the  ideas  of  a  broad, 
liberal,  and  moral  character  should  have  an  influence  in  the  improve- 
ment of  society.  In  reviewing  the  lives  and  characters  of  those  who 
have  grown  out  of  the  Community,  the  conclusion  is  forced  upon  me 
that  the  results  desired  have  been  generally  obtained.  Mr.  S.  L.  Hill, 
who  watched  over  the  children  with  more  intelligent  care  than  any  other 
person,  expressed  his  thought  agreeable  to  this  conclusion.  There  was 
no  effort  made  to  instruct  us  in  any  sectarian  or  peculiar  theological 
ideas.  If  there  was  not  much  said  regarding  "  the  Fatherhood  of  God," 
"  the  Brotherhood  of  Man  "  was  a  constant  object  lesson.  I  have  heard 
the  opinion  expressed    that  among  the  reasons  why  the   project  was  not 


OLD   COMMUNITY    TIMES. 


II9 


more  of  a  financial  success  was  that  this  "charity  towards  all"  was  too 
generally  extended  in  a  material  way.  But  this  general  hospitality  drew 
together  people  of  varied  experiences,  among  whom  were  many  bright 
and  superior  minds. 

I  remember  most  of  those  who  were  the  adult  members  of  the  Com- 
munity. Among  them  may  be  mentioned  Samuei  L.  Hill,  George  Ben- 
son, Austin  Ross,  David  Mack,  Samuel  A.  Bottum,  Hiram  Wells,  E.  L. 
Hammond,  Hall  Judd,  William  Adam,  Luther  Brigham,  James  Willey, 
and    Calvin   Stebbins.     These  men  impressed  themselves  on  my  mind  as 


1 


METHODIST   CHURCH.      SOJOURNER    TRUTH    HOUSE.  JUDD    PLACE. 

A    PARK    STREET    VIEW. 


HAVEN    HOUSE. 


being  more  than  ordinary  men.  Among  the  women  might  be  mentioned 
an  equal  number  who  were  all  competent,  and  possessed  greater  intel- 
lectual ability  than  the  average  women  of  that  time. 

My  father,  mother,  and  their  five  children  joined  the  Community  in 
the  spring  of  1843,  when  I  was  six  years  old.  I  remember  distinctly  our 
arrival  at  the  little  cottage  of  my  uncle,  George  Benson.  For  a  great 
many  years  there  was  a  beautiful  pine  grove  back  of  this  cottage. 
Among  the  trees  were  several  graves,  but  I  do  not  remember  the  history 
of  them.  Standing  at  that  time  in  the  belfry  of  the  present  Braid  Mill, 
but  three  dwellings  could  be  seen.  To  the  right,  towards  Northampton, 
was  the  house  of  an  Irishman,  named  Hickey,  and  this  must  have  been 
seen  through   the  forest   trees,  which   covered  the   plain  to  a   greater  or 


120  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

less  extent ;  to  the  left  was  the  Adam  house,  and  to  the  north  was  the  Ben- 
son cottage.  Our  family  was  installed  in  a  suite  of  rooms  in  the  south- 
east corner  on  the  third  floor  of  the  Community  boarding  house.  Very 
sunny  and  pleasant  rooms,  as  I  recollect  them.  While  the  danger  from 
fire,  or  the  distance  from  the  ground,  caused  our  parents  some  anxiety,  we 
children  did  not  suffer  from  this  cause. 

The  large  dining  room  was  where  the  meetings  were  held,  and  during 
the  winter  a  regular  lyceum  was  maintained.  The  children  recited 
pieces,  and  classes  in  music  furnished  song.  The  debates  were  carried 
on  with  spirit,  and,  as  would  naturally  be  expected  among  such  positive 
minded  men  as  composed  the  Community,  personal  antagonism  would 
sometimes  be   engendered.      But  when    different   opinions  were  honestly 


PARK    STREET    CEMETERY. 


held,  a  broad  mantle  of  charity  was  extended  and  the  ultimate  outcome 
was  a  better  understanding  and  confidence.  Any  visitors  who  had 
special  talent  were  invited  to  contribute  to  the  general  pleasure  and 
instruction.  I  heard  here  for  the  first  time  the  Hutchinson  family  ;  Jud- 
son,  Abby,  John,  and  Asa  then  made  up  the  famous  quartette,  which  for 
years  was  so  well  known.  Fred  Douglass  was  introduced  to  Northamp- 
ton through  this  channel.  I  remember  him  as  a  finely  formed,  athletic 
young  man.  Among  the  family  curiosities  is  a  stone  which  was  thrown 
at  him  while  trying  to  speak  in  the  Northampton  town  hall,  about  this  time. 
David  Ruggles  was  another  of  the  peculiar  characters  that  I  remember 
distinctly.  He  was  blind,  and  it  was  one  of  my  boyhood  duties  to  lead 
him  to  his  baths.  Garrison  was  a  frequent  visitor.  I  remember  hearing 
him   speak  under  the   large  pine  tree  that   used  to  be   our  summer  meet- 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMES. 


ing  house.  All  of  the  old  Community  people  remember  this  tree  with 
reverence.  The  memory  of  many  instructive  lessons  from  earnest  and 
capable  men  cluster  around  this  spot. 

Sojourner  Truth,  the  African,  who  was  a  conspicuous  figure  during 
the  anti-slavery  controversy,  was  here  and  was  accustomed  to  speak  and 
sometimes  to  sing.  In  either 
act  she  commanded  attention, 
having  a  tall  imposing  figure, 
a  strong  voice,  and  a  ready 
wit.  Her  retorts  or  argu- 
ments were  usually  well  di- 
rected and  secured  the  desired 
results.  She  was  brought 
from  Africa  when  a  child  and 
held  as  a  slave  in  New  York 
state.  She  bore  her  tribal 
mark  and  it  was  sometimes 
suggested  that  she  came  from 
royal  stock.  She  neverlearned 
to  read,  write,  or  figure,  and 
in  speaking  once  she  said, 
"Three  thirds  of  the  people 
are  wrong."  Some  one  in  the 
audience  said,  "  That  takes 
them  all,  Sojourner,"  and  she 

answered,  "  I  am  sorry,  as  I  had  hoped  there  were  a  few  left."  One  of 
the  boys  fell  off  the  dam,  and,  as  fortune  favored  him,  struck  in  a  deep 
pool  only  a  few  feet  long.  This  was  the  only  place  where  he  could  have 
fallen  without  injury  as  there  was  a  ledge  extending  the  remainder  of 
the  way.  Sojourner  remarked,  on  hearing  of  the  accident,  "  If  the  Devil 
made  him  fall  the  Lord  had  a  fixed  place  for  him  to  light  in." 

The  educational  methods  were  original  and  our  instructors  were 
among  the  first  in  this  country  to  use  object  lessons.  While  the  chil- 
dren of  my  age  had  lessons  from  books,  the  lessons  taught  through  the 
oral  and  practically  illustrated  methods  are  the  ones  I  now  remember. 
A  class  of  which  I  was  a  member  was  under  the  instruction  of  Miss 
Sophia  Foorde..  Our  schoolroom  was  frequently  the  plain  back  of  the 
present  braid  factory.  On  the  banks  of  the  river  we  were  taught  to 
build  the  different  geographical  formations,  miniature  islands,  capes, 
promontories,  peninsulas,  and  isthmuses.  I  have  frequently  noticed  that 
I  have  a  much  clearer  idea  of  these  formations  than  others  of  my  age, 
who  were  my  superiors  in  memorizing  lessons. 


VIEW   ON    PINE   STREET    IN    187O. 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Work  was  interspersed  with  our  lessons.  We  gathered  the  mulberry 
leaves  for  the  silkworms,  being  watched  over  and  directed  by  a  member 
appointed  for  that  purpose.  Among  those  who  had  my  class  in  charge 
was  a  man  educated  for  a  Catholic  priest.  To  encourage  us  to  work  and 
to  still  the  clatter  of  our  tongues  he  sometimes  recited  a  Latin  prayer. 

As  this  was  always  a 
reward     for    welldoing 

0  n  o  u  r  part,  he  ex- 
pected to  receive  an 
immediate  answer.  Mr. 
Austin  Eoss  usually 
had  the  care  of  the  boys 
older  than  myself, 
though  sometimes  my 
class  was  placed  under 
his  charge.  We  were 
watched  while  at  work 
or  at  play,  instructed 
in  swimming,  as  well 
as  in  hoeing,  and  while 

1  never  knew  corporal 
punishment  to  be  re- 
sorted to,  Mr.  Ross  had 
the  reputation  of  being 
able  to  close  his  hand 
very  tightly  on  the  arm 

or  shoulder  of  any  boy  who  disobeyed  his  orders.  I  presume  the  Com- 
munity children  had  their  troubles  and  hardships,  but  my  memory  mostly 
brings  "  visions  of  happiness."  The  occasional  rides  to  the  wood  lot  with 
Mr.  Bottum,  or  to  the  farm  with  Mr.  Ross,  and  many  incidents  of  work 
and  play  are  all  reflected  in  rose-colored  hues. 

There  has  been  much  interest  excited  about  the  grave  of  a  young 
lady  who  was  buried  by  the  road  leading  to  Bay  State.  This  was  a 
beautiful  place,  sloping  toward  the  river.  Our  Community  Paradise, 
with  its  large  pine  trees,  among  whose  roots  wound  a  brook,  was  on  one 
side,  and  the  river  on  the  other  side.  Over  the  grave  a  beautiful  oak 
spread  its  protecting  branches.  She  was  buried  here  according  to  her 
request,  and  the  children  filed  by  and  dropped  in  her  grave  their  sprigs 
of  evergreen  and  wild  flowers.  Very  few  of  those  to  maturity  grown 
who  stood  around  her  grave  at  that  time  but  have  followed  her  to  the 
great   unknown.     Mrs.    Judd,*   Mrs.    Martin,    Mr.    Ross,    Mr.    and    Mrs. 


THE  ISAAC  PARSONS  PLACE — NOW    H.  F.  CUTLER'S  RESIDENCE. 


*  Died  January,  1894.     Article  written  December,  1892. — [Editor. 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMES. 


123 


Atkins,  and  Mr.  Bottum  yet  remain,  and  have  watched  the  many  transi- 
tions that  have  taken  place  around  the  homes  of  the  old  Community,  an 
association  formed  to  help  its  individual  members  to  more  complete  and 
well  rounded  life.  The  enterprise  failed  materially,  but  among  the 
eternal  forces  that  live  and  influence  the  world,  I  believe  the  Community 
still  has  its  being. 


WHEN  I  WAS  A  GIRL. 
By  a  Community  Maiden. 

My  earliest  recollections  connected  with  Florence  were  of  the  long 
journey  from  Brooklyn,  Conn.,  made  with  our  family  by  private  convey- 
ance, there  being  no  railroad  to  Northampton  at  that  time.  The  cottage 
to  which  we  came  stood  on  rising  ground,  terraced  to  the  road,  with  a 
rather  long,  sandy  hill  at  the  back  ;  a  beautiful  grove  of  great  pine  trees 
at  one  side,  and  just  beyond  that  a  deep,  broad,  sand  valley,  clean, 
white,  and  fine  ;  an  ideal  playground  for  children.  Our  great  delight 
was  to  start  some  distance  from  its  brink,  run  as  fast  as  we  could,  jump 
over  and  land  knee  deep  in  its  warm  embrace. 

Across  the  road,  and  directly  opposite  the  cottage,  ran  a  shallow 
brook,  with  sandy  soil  on  either  side,  in  which  grew  fine,  firm  cranberries, 
the  first  and  last  I  ever  ._- 
saw  growing.  Beyond 
the  brook,  and  a  zig- 
zag fence,  lay  a  swamp 
of  some  extent,  which 
was  our  resort  when 
hunting  the  trailing 
arbutus,  which  grew 
there  in  perfection. 
One  day,  while  looking 
for  the  flowers,  I  rolled 
a  log  over,  and  beheld 
a  large,  black  snake  surrounded  by  her  family  of  little  blackies,  where- 
upon the  mother  opened  wide  her  mouth,  and  one  by  one  the  six  baby 
snakes  disappeared  down  that  receptacle. 

How  long  it  might  have  been  before  the  Community  was  founded, 
I  have  no  idea,  but  soon  the  brick  mill  became  a  place  of  residence  for 
families,  and  uncles,  aunts,  and  cousins,  besides  others,  began  to  arrive, 
and  my  lonely  life  was  relieved  by  companions  of  all  ages. 

And  then    began    our  school    life,  which    was  so   different  from   the 


■  ;  ^Mm^'J^sa^i  3 


I'ULLY    UOSWORTH    HOUSE   TO-DAY. 


124  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

stereotyped  training  of  other  young  folks  of  those  days.  Our  teachers 
were  people  of  original  ideas  on  education  ;  thoughtful,  progressive, 
intellectual,  somewhat  unusual  qualifications,  then,  for  school  teachers. 
The  best  remembered  of  them  all  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Mack.  All 
our  teachers,  however,  were  our  friends  and  companions,  and  our  school- 
room, very  often,  some  lovely  grove,  or  shady  nook  on  the  banks  of  the 
winding  Mill  River.  We  were  taught  botany  wherever  flowers  grew,  and 
we  learned  by  object  lessons  many  things  that  city  children  never  knew 
unless  in  adult  life  their  interest  in  some  special  pursuit  brought  them  in 
close  contact  with  nature.  We  traveled  miles,  climbed  Mounts  Holyoke 
and  Tom  in  search  of  rare  specimens  of  their  flora,  or  minerals  ;  any- 
thing, in  fact,  that  our  quick  eyes  could  spy  out  from  which  our  teachers 
could  give  us  a  new  idea. 

When  the  cold  weather  drove  us  indoors,  our  work  differed  in  many 
points.  We  were  taught  sewing,  braiding  straw,  knitting  silk  and  beaded 
purses,  and  other  useful  things.  And  while  we  worked  our  teacher  read 
the  classics  to  us, — Shakespeare's  plays,  Scott's  novels,  Prescott's  "  His- 
tory of  the  Conquest  of  Mexico,"  "  Undine,"  and  many  other  charming 
books,  both  prose  and  poetry  ;  so  that  while  our  minds  were  the  most 
receptive,  all  the  beauties  of  the  literature  were  pointed  out  and  impressed 
upon  us.  Another  feature  was  the  bringing  of  a  new  fact,  or  idea,  each 
morning  to  school  with  us,  and  some  of  them  were  very  new,  indeed,  as, 
for  instance,  when  a  small  cousin  of  mine  gave  as  her  quota  of  informa- 
tion, that  she  "  never  knew  before  that  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  cut  her 
own  head  off  !  "  the  shocked  expression  of  her  large,  blue  eyes  attesting 
her  firm  belief  in  her  "  fact."  But  with  all  that  was  unusual  in  our 
schooling,  the  old-fashioned  ways  of  study  were  by  no  means  neglected, 
and  we  had  to  learn  our  lessons,  also. 

One  feature  of  our  training  was  the  athletic  exercises  that  the  girls, 
as  well  as  the  boys,  were  expected  to  take.  As  the  blind,  colored  man, 
Dr.  Ruggles,  was  very  fond  of  us  youngsters,  we  were,  of  course,  great 
friends  of  his.  No  sooner  did  we  "sight"  him,  than,  with  arm  sharply 
bent  at  elbow,  we  gathered  around  him  to  have  the  exact  extent  of 
muscular  improvement  from  our  latest  practice  on  cross-tree  (or  other 
trees,  for  that  matter)  decided  by  his  infallible  judgment.  I  am  still 
proud  to  say  that  my  muscle  always  stood  well  in  his  estimation.  Bath- 
ing was  another  much  sought  amusement  of  ours,  and  many  a  retired 
nook  on  the  river  was  a  favored  sporting  place. 

One  department  of  industry  was  raising  silkworms  for  raw  silk. 
Extensive  fields  of  mulberry  bushes  were  already  planted,  a  cocoonery 
was  built,  and  the  eggs  imported.  The  children  did  the  work,  under  the 
supervision  of  a   couple   of  men  to  keep  us  in  order,  and  see  that  it  was 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMES. 


125 


not  all  play  and  no  work.  The  long,  rather  low  cocoonery  had  shelves 
on  each  side  of  a  passageway,  running  lengthwise  with  it,  upon  which  the 
eggs  were  hatched,  and  the  boys  brought  the  leaves  in  baskets,  while  the 
girls  distributed  them  over  the  shelves,  and  worms  soon  devoured  them. 
The  work  was  clean  and  wholesome,  done  at  regular  times,  between 
school  hours,  and  really  enjoyable.  Some  of  us  were  sorry  when  it  had 
to  be  abandoned  after  a  full  trial,  it  proving  cheaper  to  obtain  the  silk 
from  China. 

In  winter  our  chief   amusement  consisted    in  coasting.     In   the   fall, 
when  the   mill  pond  was  full  of  logs,  it  was  great  fun  to  run  over  its 


THE    ROSS    FARM — FORMERLY    OWNED    BY   THE   COMMUNITY. 


narrowest  part,  jumping  from  log  to  log.  What  should  we  do  or  say  if 
we  caught  our  daughters  indulging  such  dangerous  accomplishments  ? 
We  were  undoubtedly  a  set  of  tomboys,  as  all  girls  would  be  if  given 
their  freedom,  as  we  were,  to  follow  the  footsteps  of  their  boyish  com- 
panions. We  ran  races  ;  climbed  trees  and  fences  ;  waded  rivers  and 
brooks  ;  fished,  rowed,  skated,  and  swam — at  least  all  of  us  who  could 
learn  the  latter  accomplishments,  which  but  a  few  did. 

And  so  passed  the  happiest  hours  of  the  happiest  possible  childhood. 
And  it  lingers  in  the  memory  of  all  who  enjoyed  its  privileges,  as  an  ideal 


126  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

unattainable  in  these  days  of  more  artificial  training  for  the  young, 
which,  superior  as  it  undoubtedly  is,  so  far  as  book  knowledge  goes,  yet 
makes  them  old  before  reaching  their  teens.  I  leave  it  for  others  to 
tell  of  the  many  celebrated  people  who  often  came  amongst  us,  lectured 
for  us,  and  entertained  us  in  various  ways.  I  have  only  aimed  at  giving 
some  experiences  in  the  life  in  the  Community  of  the  children  under 
twelve  years  of  age. 


A  YOUNG  MAN  IN  THE  COMMUNITY. 
By  Giles  D.  Stebbins,  Detroit,  Michigan. 

Florence  has  its  own  atmosphere  and  character.  It  is  noteworthy, 
not  only  for  its  natural  beauty  and  for  its  aspect  of  thrift  and  taste,  but 
for  the  cheerful  industry,  the  decent  ways,  the  fraternal  spirit,  the  free 
and  active  mental  and  moral  life  and   the  religious  charity  of  its  people. 

What  ideas  inspired  its  founders  ?  What  influences  shaped  its  charac- 
ter and  vitalized  its  air  ?  My  part  of  the  answer  will  be  some  glimpses 
of  a  year  in  the  Community,  when  I  was  twenty-five  years  old.  The 
brick  factory  by  the  river  side,  the  few  plain  houses  scattered  around  it, 
the  pleasant  valley,  the  broad  fields,  the  wooded  hills  with  paths  among 
the  great  trees  and  the  laurels  and  wild  flowers  along  their  winding 
ways, — all  are  in  my  mind's  eye. 

Plain  living  and  high  thinking  went  together.  Social  life  was  uncon- 
ventional, going  to  the  bounds  of  propriety  but  not  beyond.  I  did  not 
know  a  grossly  depraved  person,  and  there  were  no  tragic  outbreaks  of 
vice  or  crime.  Vulgarity  was  less  common  than  in  the  outer  world. 
They  were  thinking  people,  trying  a  noble  experiment, — an  effort  for 
industry  and  education  more  fraternal  than  seemed  possible  elsewhere. 
It  may  be  said  that  they  did  not  succeed,  but  surely  they  did  not  wholly 
fail,  for  the  memory  of  those  days  has  been  pleasant  and  helpful  to  all. 
There  and  elsewhere,  far  and  near,  I  have  met  the  pioneers  of  that  Commu- 
nity, and  have  found  no  "  black  sheep  "  among  them.  There  was  a  strange 
charm  in  the  daily  contact  with  persons  of  widely  varying  opinions, 
freely  exchanged  without  controversy.  Even  in  religion  there  was  no 
cold  wave  of  self-righteous  bigotry,  and  we  find  to-day  a  kindly  charity 
and  mutual  respect  among  the  various  denominations. 

There  were  many  visitors, — persons  eminent  in  thought  and  life,  inter- 
ested in  this  experiment, — and  meeting  them  was  interesting  and  instruct- 
ive, sometimes  amusing.  Rev.  Mr.  Woodbridge,  a  grave  Puritan  D.D. 
of  Hadley,  came  one  day,  met  among  the  silkworms  a  young  man  named 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMKS. 


127 


Porter,  and  asked,  "What  do  you  do  here  Sundays  ?"  The  reply  was  : 
"  We  rest,  sometimes  do  pressing-  work,  read,  think,  hold  meetings,  and 
try  to  behave  as  well  as  we  do  Mondays."  The  preacher  asked,  "  Have 
you  no  minister?"  "No,"  was  the  answer;  "we  all  speak  if  we  wish, 
men  and  women.  You  can  come  and  say  what  you  please  ;  we  will  treat 
you  well,  but  we  may  not  agree  with  you  and  may  ask  questions."  "  Do 
you  all  think  alike?  How  do  you  get  along  when  you  don't  agree  ? " 
The  young  man  picked  up  a  stick  and  rapped  on  the  fence  rail,  first  on 
one  place  and  then  along  the  rail,  saying,  "You  notice  that  when  I  rap 
on  one  spot  the  sound  is  monotonous,  when  I  move  my  stick  it  varies. 
Don't  you  like  the  variations?  You  are  not  foolish  enough  to  quarrel 
with  the  stick  or  the  rail 
because  these  sounds 
differ,  but  you  like  to 
hear  them  and  make  up 
y  o  u  r  mind  which  is 
best."  A  good  object 
lesson  in  free  inquiry. 

The  Sunday  meetings 
were  always  provocative 
of  thought, usually  inter- 
esting, sometimes  crude. 
They  were  held  in  the 
factory  dining  room,  or 
under  the  shade  of  a 
great  pine  in  the  grove 
on  the  hilltop.  William 
Lloyd  Garrison  spent 
part  of  the  summer  here, 
and  spoke  several  times. 
The  listening  group,  the 

speaker  standing  by  the  massive  trunk  of  the  towering  tree,  his  bold  yet 
reverent  utterances,  the  fragrance  of  the  pines,  the  mountains  in  the  dis- 
tance, and  the  blue   sky  over  all,  seem  like  something  of  yesterday. 

I  was  not  a  member  of  the  Community,  but  a  student  with  William 
Adam  and  David  Mack  as  teachers,  ripe  scholars  and  excellent  men.  It 
was  a  study  of  character  as  well  as  of  books  ; — of  marked  individuality, 
moral  courage,  devotedness  to  good  ends,  some  tinge  of  erratic  fancies, 
and  a  warm  sympathy  which  made  life  pleasant. 

I  remember  a  wedding  at  the  breakfast  table  of  the  factory  dining  hall, 
with  no  cake  or  cards,  but  brown  bread  and  wooden  chairs  and  a  squire 
to  make  the  rite  legal.     The  ripe  wisdom  and  delicate  tenderness,  finely 


RESIDENCE 


SAMUEL    POKIER. 


128  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

shown  in  gracious  words  or  acts  by  those  who  went  from  the  wedding 
feast  to  their  work  in  mill,  or  kitchen,  or  the  open  fields,  made  some 
weddings,  where  silks  and  diamonds  and  shallow  compliments  abound, 
poor  in  comparison. 

It  is  sometimes  well  for  a  young  man  to  find  out  how  little  he  knows. 
It  takes  awav  self-conceit  and  leads  to  deeper  thinking.  I  was  at  the  age 
when  self-esteem  is  active.  A  Massachusetts  youth,  who  was  a  Whig,  a 
Unitarian,  and  a  prospective  clergyman,  might  naturally  have  a  fair  share 
of  complacent  self-satisfaction.  I  had  a  room  in  a  house  partly  occupied 
by  James  Stetson  and  family  from  Brooklyn,  Conn.  Mrs.  Stetson  was  a 
superior  woman,  a  personal  friend  of  S.  J.  May,  and  other  early  anti- 
slavery  leaders.  One  evening,  in  their  room,  the  talk  was  of  anti-slavery, 
and  she  quoted  some  Bible  texts  favoring  freedom  for  all.  Gravely  and 
with  oracular  air,  I  spoke  of  Paul  and  Onesimus,  and  of  the  Apostle 
sending  back  the  slave  to  his  master.  I  can  see  still  the  shade  of  amused 
pity  that  spread  over  her  fine  face  as  she  heard  me  through.  Then  she 
took  up  the  matter  and  expounded  the  Scriptures  in  the  light  of  liberty. 
As  she  expounded  I  was  confounded, — that  I,  one  of  the  lords  of  crea- 
tion, who  hoped,  like  Walter  Scott's  Dominie  Sampson,  to  "  wag  my 
pow  in  the  pulpit  "  in  due  time,  should  be  so  utterly  humiliated  by  a 
person  unlearned,  as  I  supposed,  in  clerical  lore,  and  that  person  a 
woman  !  She  was  kind,  but  that  made  it  worse.  There  really  seemed 
nothing  left  of  me,  I  did  not  sleep  for  half  the  night,  for  thinking  of  my 
mental  and  moral  confusion.  But  at  last  it  dawned  on  me  that  the 
lesson  was  needed  as  well  as  right,  and  I  went  to  her  in  the  morning 
and  heartily  thanked  her.  We  became  cordial  friends,  and,  having  come 
into  a  teachable  mood,  I  learned  much  from  her. 

Other  friends  I  had,  whose  useful  lives  and  large  thoughts  were 
inspiring  suggestions  of  much  that  has  since  been  well  done.  Samuel 
L.  Hill, — unpretending,  sagacious,  tireless,  of  moral  courage  unsur- 
passed, and  a  fine  integrity  that  made  his  promise  sure, — the  fatherly 
helper  beloved  by  all  ;  Hammond,  Benson,  Atkins,  Judd,  Ross,  are  names 
calling  up  men  and  women  known  and  prized. 

A  leading  aim  of  the  Community  was  to  emphasize  human  fraternity, 
to  uplift  the  common  lot,  and  its  members  carried  that  aim  into  the 
business  enterprises  in  which  they  engaged  on  the  domain  which  had 
been  the  place  of  their  joint  efforts  for  a  better  life  for  all.  The  charac- 
ter of  a  town  where  large  industries  employ  many  persons  is  modified  by 
the  spirit  and  methods  of  the  managers  and  employers.  Where  business 
sagacity  and  fraternal  humanity  are  combined  all  seem  to  live  in  a 
purer  and  more  vitalizing  air,  and  much  is  done  to  enrich  the  life  of  the 
people. 


OLD    COMMl'NITV    TIMES. 


129 


In  this  respect  Florence  has  been  sirigularly  fortunate,  and  the  busi- 
ness career  of  Samuel  L.  Hill  and  others  gives  signal  proof  that  this 
combination  is  practicable  and  that  the  union  of  wisdom  and  love  helps 
to  the  best  material  results,  as  well  as  to  the  best  life  for  all.  Fraternity 
and  self-respect  are  better  stimulants  to  skilled  and  faithful  labor  than  a 
blind  and  chilling  selfishness. 

The  Community  was  short-lived.  Its  errors  have  died  away,  its 
influence  for  good  is  still  felt,  for  the  right  outlives  the  wrong  and  so 
the  world  moves  upward. 


WHAT  I   FOUND  AT  THE  NORTHAMPTON  ASSOCIATION. 

By  Frederick  Douglass. 

Of  the  great  mental  wave  of  reform  that  passed  over  New  England 
fifty  years  ago  and  gave  rise  to  the  Florence,  Brook  Farm,  and  Hopedale 
Communities,  others  can  tell  you  more  and  better  than  I.  The  religion 
of  good  will  to  man  ;  of  fervent 
desire  and  courageous  determi- 
nation to  put  aside  the  old  and 
to  venture  boldly  upon  the 
new  ;  to  change  and  improve 
conditions  of  human  existence  ; 
to  liberate  mankind  from  the 
bondage  of  time-worn  custom  ; 
to  curb  and  fix  limits  to  in- 
dividual selfishness  ;  to  diffuse 
wealth  among  the  lowly  ;  to 
banish  poverty  ;   to  harmonize 


"  Far  from  gay  cities  and  the  ways  of  men." — Pope. 


conflicting  interests,  and  to  promote  the  happiness  of  mankind  gener- 
ally, had  at  that  time  such  a  revival  as,  perhaps,  New  England  had  never 
seen  before,  and  has  certainly  never  seen  since. 

This  high  thought  of  the  time  took  deep  hold  upon  men  and  women, 
and  led  them  to  dare  and  do  startling  things  in  contradiction  to  the 
common  sense  of  the  period.  Many  who  thought  themselves  reformers 
were  not  ready  to  embark  in  the  wild,  or  what  seemed  to  them  wild,  and 
fantastical  measures  of  these  radicals  ;  who,  in  their  war  against  old 
forms  and  social  arrangements,  sometimes  seemed  to  assume  that  what- 
ever was  new,  was  true,  and  that  whatever  was  old,  was  erroneous.  With 
them,  the  old  way  was  the  wrong  way,  and  the  new  was  the  right,  or  at 
least  had  within  it  the  promise  of  the  right. 


130  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

The  period  was  one  of  faith,  hope,  and  charity  ;  of  millennial  fore- 
shadowing. The  air  was  full  of  isms — Grahamism,  mesmerism,  Fou- 
rierism,  transcendentalism,  communism,  and  abolitionism.  Fresh  from 
slavery  at  that  time,  and  keenly  alive  to  its  horrors,  my  mind  was  mainly 
occupied  with  the  last  mentioned  ism,  and  yet  with  a  strong  leaning 
towards  communism  as  a  remedy  for  all  social  ills.  I  found,  too,  that  the 
men  and  women  who  were  interested  in  the  work  of  revolutionizing  the 
whole  system  of  civilization  were  also  deeply  interested  in  the  emancipa- 
tion of  the  slaves  ;  and  this  was  enough  to  insure  my  sympathy  to  these 
universal  reformers. 

Of  the  various  attempts  to  give  form  and  substance  to  the  broad  and 
beneficent  ideas  of  the  times,  Florence  and  Hopedale  seemed  fullest  of 
promise.  For  harmony,  Hopedale  had  a  decided  advantage  over  Flor- 
ence, in  that  its  leaders  were  of  one  religious  faith,  while  Florence  was 
composed  both  of  men  and  women  of  different  denominations,  and  of 
those  of  no  religious  bias  or  profession.  It  was  from  the  first  a  protest 
against  sectism  and  bigotry  and  an  assertion  of.  the  paramount  impor- 
tance of  human  brotherhood. 

I  visited  Florence  almost  at  its  beginning,  when  it  was  in  the  rough  ; 
when  all  was  Spartan-like  simplicity.  It  struck  me  at  once  that  the 
reformers  had  a  tremendous  task  before  them.  I  knew  that  many  of 
them  were  people  well  to  do  in  the  world,  and  I  naturally  wondered  how 
they  could  content  themselves  to  leave  the  smooth  and  pleasant  paths  of 
life  to  which  they  were  accustomed,  for  the  rough  and  thorny  ways  they 
were  now  compelled  to  tread.  The  site  of  the  Community  was  decidedly 
unpromising.  The  soil  was  poor  and  had  little  or  nothing  upon  it  but 
stubby  oaks  and  stunted  pines.  The  most  hopeful  thing  I  saw  there  was 
a  narrow  stream  meandering  through  an  entangled  valley  of  brush  and 
brier,  and  a  brick  building  which  the  communists  had  now  converted 
into  a  dwelling  and  factory.  The  place  and  the  people  struck  me  as  the 
most  democratic  I  had  ever  met.  It  was  a  place  to  extinguish  all  aris- 
tocratic pretensions.  There  was  no  high,  no  low,  no  masters,  no  servants, 
no  white,  no  black.  I,  however,  felt  myself  in  very  high  society.  I  met 
there  Samuel  Hill,  Seth  Hunt,  George  Benson,  Hall  Judd,  William 
Bassett,  James  Boyle,  Giles  B.  Stebbins,  Elisha  Hammond,  his  wife,  Miss 
Sophia  Foorde,  and  a  number  of  others,  all  people  from  the  upper  walks 
of  life,  and  yet  fraternizing  with  the  humblest  members  of  the  association 
of  which  they  formed  a  part. 

My  impressions  of  the  Community  are  not  only  the  impressions  of  a 
stranger,  but  those  of  a  fugitive  slave  to  whom  at  that  time  even  Massa- 
chusetts opposed  a  harsh  and  repellent  side.  The  cordial  reception  I 
met  with  at  Florence,  was,  therefore,  much  enhanced  bv  its  contrast  with 


OLD    COMMUNITY     TIMES. 


131 


many  other  places  in  that  commonwealth.  Mere,  at  least,  neither  my 
color  nor  my  condition  was  counted  against  me.  I  found  here  my  old 
friend,  David  Ruggles,  not  only  black,  but  blind,  and  measurably  help- 
less, but  a  man  of  sterling  sense  and  worth.  He  had  been  caught  up  in 
New  York  city,  rescued  from  destitution,  brought  here  and  kindly  cared 
for.  I  speak  of  David  Ruggles  as  my  old  friend.  He  was  such  to  me 
only  as  he  had  been  to  others  in  the  same  plight.  Before  he  was  old  and 
blind  he  had  been  a  coworker  with  the  venerable  Quaker,  Isaac  T. 
Hopper,  and  had  assisted  me  as  well  as  many  other  fugitive  slaves,  on 
the  way  from  slavery  to  freedom.  It  was  good  to  see  that  this  man  who 
had  zealously  assisted  others  was  now  receiving  assistance  from  the 
benevolent  men  and   women  of  this  Community,  and  if  a  grateful  heart 


VIEW   OF    FLORENCE — LOOKING    NORTH    FROM    SCHOOLIIOUSE   TOWER. 


in  a  recipient  of  benevolence  is  any  compensation  for  such  benevolence, 
the  friends  of  David  Ruggles  were  well  compensated.  His  whole  theme 
to  me  was  gratitude  to  these  noble  people.  For  his  blindness  he  was 
hydropathically  treated  in  the  Community.  He  himself  became  well 
versed  in  the  water  cure  system,  and  was  subsequently  at  the  head  of  a 
water  cure  establishment  at  Florence.  He  acquired  such  sensitiveness  of 
touch  that  he  could,  by  feeling  the  patient,  easily  locate  the  disease,  and 
was,  therefore,  very  successful  in  treating  his  patients. 

David  Ruggles  was  not  the  only  colored  person  who  found  refuge  in 
this  Community.  I  met  here  for  the  first  time  that  strange  compound  of 
wit  and   wisdom,  of  wild   enthusiasm  and  flint-like  common  sense,  who 


132  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

seemed  to  feel  it  her  duty  to  trip  me  up  in  my  speeches  and  to  ridicule 
my  efforts  to  speak  and  act  like  a  person  of  cultivation  and  refinement. 
I  allude  to  Sojourner  Truth.  She  was  a  genuine  specimen  of  the  uncul- 
tured negro.  She  cared  very  little  for  elegance  of  speech  or  refinement 
of  manners.  She  seemed  to  please  herself  and  others  best  when  she  put 
her  ideas  in  the  oddest  forms.  She  was  much  respected  at  Florence,  for 
she  was  honest,  industrious,  and  amiable.  Her  quaint  speeches  easily 
gave  her  an  audience,  and  she  was  one  of  the  most  useful  members  of  the 
Community  in  its  day  of  small  things. 

It  is  hardly  possible  to  point  to  a  greater  contrast  than  is  presented 
by  Florence  now,  and  what  it  was  fifty  years  ago.  Then  it  was  a  wilder- 
ness. Now  it  blossoms  like  the  rose.  Though  the  outward  form  has 
changed,  the  early  spirit  of  the  Community  has  survived.  The  noble 
character  of  its  men  and  women,  and  the  spirit  of  its  teachers,  are  still 
found  in  that  locality,  and  one  cannot  visit  there  without  seeing  that 
George  Benson,  Samuel  Hill,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hammond,  Sophia  Foorde, 
William  Bassett,  and  Giles  B.  Stebbins,  and  the  rest  of  them,  have  not 
lived  in  vain. 


THE  HUTCHINSONS"  VISIT. 

By  John  W.  Hutchinson. 

The  glorious  principle  of  the  "  Fatherhood  of  God,  and  the  Brother- 
hood of  Man  "  is  a  legacy  to  humanity  from  primeval  times  ;  it  was  the 
spirit  that  pervaded  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  actuated  the  early  Chris- 
tians, who  "  held  all  things  in  common."  From  out  the  dim  vista  of 
years,  to  the  believers  of  a  later  generation  this  spirit  came  once  more, 
as  though  ordained  to  awaken  anew  the  cherished  idea  advanced  by  the 
Master,  the  rule  of  love — that  mighty,  controlling  influence  which  was  to 
be  once  more  promulgated  to  lift  the  struggling  world  to  a  realm  of 
confidence  in  God  and  man. 

It  was  this  vital  principle  that  made  itself  visible  in  the  spirit  that 
shone  forth  and  the  motives  controlling  the  dear  cluster  of  believers 
gathered  in  the  Northampton  valley,  on  the  banks  of  the  picturesque 
Mill  River,  coming  thence  from  the  homes  of  New  England  to  form  the 
"  Northampton  Association  of  Education  and  Industry."  They  sought 
to  establish  a  community.  For  reasons  that  it  is  no  part  of  my  task  to 
state,  their  experiment,  like  that  at  Brook  Farm  in  Roxbury,  the  "North 
American  Phalanx  "  in  New  Jersey,  and  the  community  of  my  own 
loved  brothers  and  sisters  in  Milford,  N.  H.,  was  short  lived,  but  the  idea 
is  immortal,  and  some  day  will  receive  its  successfid  demonstration. 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMES. 


*33 


As  the  last  remaining  member  of  the  hand  of  singing  hrothers  and 
one  sister,  who  in  1844  spent  two  happy  days  with  this  Community,  it  is 
a  privilege  to  put  on  record  sonic  impressions  and  reminiscences  of  this 
delightful  occasion.  We  were  youthful  and  ambitious.  Our  voices 
had  been  already  lifted  in  aid  of  freedom  and  reform.  We  had  just 
closed  our  first  tour  to  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and  Washington.  In 
the  latter  cities  we  had  received  our  first  impressions,  by  actual  contact, 
of  the  horrid  iniquity  of  slavery.  We  were  now  on  our  way  from  New 
York  city — where  we  had  achieved  in  its  fullest  measure  the  success  so 
dear  to  the  heart  of  every  artist — to  our  New  Hampshire  home. 

In  the  party  that  arrived  at  Northampton  on  that  bright  day  in  open- 
ing spring,  was  my  brother  Zephaniah,  the  elder  of  the  band,  who  was 
our  business  agent.  A  verita- 
ble Yankee,  full  of  plans,  ftdl 
of  hope,  except  when  a  tempo- 
rary set-back  in  our  work  or 
some  slight  illness  subdued  his 
spirits  and  found  expression  in 
some  whimsical  remark,  half- 
sad,  half-jocose  ;  the  life  he  saw 
at  the  Florence  Community 
filled  him  with  enthusiasm,  and 
it  was  hard  for  him  to  tear  him- 
self away  from  the  entrancing 
company.  He  was  an  Illinois 
pioneer,  and  now  lies  buried 
near  his  prairie  home.  Judson 
was  there,  dear,  warm-hearted, 
whole-souled,      angel-voiced 

t       ,  tt-      u      J  ..      •       TV/T-1  RESIDENCE   OF    NELSON    A.    DAVIS. 

Judson.  His  body  rests  in  Mil- 
ford,  near  the  farm  where  the  Hutchinsons  were  even  then  dwelling  in  a 
happy  community,  with  Benny  and  Rhoda  as  the  home  guard,  while  the 
others  were  earning  money  for  the  common  treasury  in  the  concert  field. 
Asa,  the  basso  of  the  troupe  and  the  youngest  brother,  was  there  also. 
He  sleeps  by  the  banks  of  the  Hassan  river,  in  the  western  home  of  the 
brothers,  Hutchinson,  Minnesota.  And  Abby,  the  youngest  of  all,  then 
only  fifteen,  was  also  there.  It  is  only  a  few  short  months  since  she  was 
with  me.  Now  she  sings  with  the  rest  in  the  spirit  world.  And  I  only 
remain  !  How  many  of  that  band  which  we  visited  are  left  I  do  not 
know,  but  I  do  know  that  there  was  not  a  word  or  look  or  act  during 
our  visit  that  did  not  tell  the  story  of  perfect  love  and  good  will  toward 
us  and  toward  each  other. 


r34 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


The  date  was  April  29,  1844.  All  nature  was  alive.  As  we  rode 
from  Northampton  village  on  that  Saturday  morning,  we  saw  the 
farmers  putting  the  seed  into  the  ground,  and  found  our  young  hearts 
in  the  fullest  unison  with  the  bright,  awakening  spring.  We  had  long 
looked  forward  to  the  time  when  we  should  make  our  advent  to  this 
delightful,  picturesque  valley.  We  were  greeted  as  we  rode  into  the 
village  by  scores  of  communists,  who  had  evidently  been  anticipating 
our  arrival.  Our  sympathies  were  at  once  commingled,  and  soul  met 
soul  in  true  communion.  We  pealed  forth  a  song  of  greeting,  which 
kindled  a  flame  of  sacred  love  that  pervaded  all  hearts.  At  once  we 
were  ushered  to  our  lodgings  and  soon  were  prepared  to  be  conducted 
about  the  grounds.  One  place  we  saw  was  most  charming.  In  that 
delightfully  picturesque  spot  we  longed  to  linger.  It  was  called  "  Para- 
dise Regained,"  and  at  this  point  we  gave  a  strain  of  music  : — 


"  This  world  is  full  of  beauty 
As  other  worlds  above  ; 
And,  if  we  did  our  duty, 
It  might  he  full  of  love." 

We  strolled  about  the  farm  in  groups.     We  went  to  the  silk  factories 
and   thence    back  to  the  unpainted   Community  building,  and    into   the 

dining  apartments, where, 
at  the  touch  of  the  bell, 
all  assembled  to  partake 
of  food.  Order  and  per- 
fect decorum  prevailed, 
and  joy  lighted  up  all 
countenances.  The  dis- 
tribution of  labor  seemed 
to  be  properly  adjusted, 
and  order  prevailed 
among  all  the  people. 
We  saw  no  signs  of  disaf- 
fection, and  our  joy  was 
full  as  we  discussed  the 
grand  problems  of  the 
day,  fully  believing  the 
whole  world  could  be  in- 
duced to  come  up  higher  into  such  realms  of  glory.  In  the  afternoon  we 
played  ball.  On  Sunday  there  was  a  meeting  in  the  great  dining  room. 
Frederick  Douglass,  then  so  recently  "chattel  personal,"  who  the  follow- 
ing year  went  with  us  to  Europe,  to  promulgate  the  gospel  of  freedom, 


A    MODERN    INTERIOR. 


OLD    COMMUNITY    TIMES. 


J35 


was  there,  and  spoke  to  the  communists,  as  did  one  of  the  leaders,  Mr. 
Hill,  and  others.  We  sang  many  of  our  songs.  1  well  recall  the  genial 
presence  at  the  meeting  and  about  the  premises,  of  Dr.  Boyd,*  in  his 
quaint  Continental  costume.  Other  faces  are  in  my  mind,  though  their 
names  ha\'e  slipped  from  my  memory.     At  night  we  rode  back  to  North- 


FORMERLY    A    PART    OF    THE    COMMUNITY    FARM  —  FROM    MEADOW    STREET    BRIDGE. 


ampton,  where  we  sang  at  a  great  anti-slavery  meeting  in  the  town  hall. 
I  remember  Douglass  talked  three  hours.  The  communists  came  over  to 
hear  him  and  us  in  several  two-horse  teams. 

And  all  this  was  a  half  century  ago  !  I  was  then  a  youth  of  twenty- 
three  ;  now  my  white  locks  tell  me  of  the  swift  passage  of  time,  though 
my  heart  is  as  young  as  ever,  for  I  never  mean  to  grow  old.  I  have  many 
times  seen  Northampton  since,  and  in  later  years  often  met  Samuel  L. 
Hill.  The  silk  mills  remain  as  a  memorial  of  the  quiet  Community 
which  once  dwelt  where  now  is  the  site  of  a  populous  village.  I  am  glad 
that  I  am  able  to  join  with  such  gifted  spirits  as  Hill,  Stebbins,  Judd, 
Douglass,  and  Birge,  in  contributing  a  leaf  to  the  history  of  such  an 
enterprise.  It  is  certainly  well  to  secure  such  a  memento  before  all  the 
actors  in  the  scenes  of  long  ago  have  passed  away. 


*  See  portrait  on  page  93. 


RELIGIOUS  HISTORY. 


THE  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 
By  Rev.  E.  G.  Cobb. 

In  the  fall  of  i860  a  movement  was  made  for  erecting  a  church  edifice 
in  Florence.  Land  for  this  purpose,  and  for  a  parsonage,  was  given  by 
the  Greenville  Manufacturing  Company  of  that  place,  and  the  requisite 
funds  were  raised  by  subscription,  friends  in  the  Center  making  liberal 
contributions.  The  immediate  success  of  the  effort  was  in  a  large  meas- 
ure due  to  the  earnest  co-operation  of  Rev.  Z.  Eddy,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the 
First  Church.  In  the  chapel  of  that  church,  on  Saturday,  the  twentieth 
day  of  October,  i860,  the  "  Florence  Church  Society  "  was  organized. 
The  subscribers  to  the  building  fund  were  also  present,  and  united  with 
the  society  in  choosing  a  building  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  D.  G. 
Littlefield,  A.  L.  Williston,  I.  S.  Parsons,  Joel  Hayden,  and  J.  P.  Willis- 
ton.  In  the  following  spring  the  edifice  was  commenced,  and  by  the 
ensuing  fall  it  was  finished  and  paid  for. 

On  the  ninth  of  October,  1861,  twenty-six  members  of  different  evan- 
gelical churches,  having  adopted  the  confession  of  faith  and  covenant, 
were  regularly  organized  by  an  ecclesiastical  council,  into  a  church  of 
Christ  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  their  house  of  worship  was 
dedicated  to  the  Lord.  For  six  months  after  this  they  had  the  services  of 
Rev.  T.  A.  Leete,  who  had  also  labored  with  them  for  some  time  previous 
to  the  organization.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  S.  O.  Dyer,  who  supplied 
the  pulpit  for  the  term  of  three  months.  On  the  fifteenth  of  December, 
1862,  Rev.  Horace  C.  Hovey  was  called  to  settle  as  pastor,  and  on  the 
fifth  of  February,  1863,  he  was  duly  installed.  On  the  twenty-fifth  of 
August,  1866,  Mr.  Hovey  offered  his  resignation,  was  released  by  a 
mutual  council  September  third,  and  closed  his  labors  witli  this  church 
October  first,  1866.  On  the  twenty-first  of  the  same  month  Rev.  Elisha  G. 
Cobb,  then  pastor  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  Peekskill,  N.  Y., 
was  called,  and  on  the  sixth  of  December,  1866,  was  installed  pastor  by  a 
council  of  which  Rev.  Zachary  Eddy,  D.D.,  was  moderator.  Prof. 
William  S.  Tyler  of  Amherst  College  preached  the  installation  sermon. 

The  original  church  building  cost  about  four  thousand  dollars.  It 
was  divided  into  two  parts,  the  rear,  entered  by  a  side  door,  being  used 
for  Sunday-school  and  prayer  meetings.     In  1864  a  separate  building  was 


130  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

erected  for  a  chapel,  and  the  entire  church  made  into  one  audience  room. 
The  cost  of  the  chapel  building  and  changes  in  the  church  was  about 
three  thousand  dollars.  In  1877  a  kitchen  and  parlors  were  added  to  the 
chapel  at  a  cost  of  about  three  thousand  dollars  more.  These  rooms 
have  been  of  great  advantage  in  developing  the  social  life  of  the  congre- 
gation. The  evening  sociables,  under  the  auspices  of  our  Ladies'  Benevo- 
lent Society,  have  furnished  occasions  for  the  introduction  of  strangers, 
mutual  acquaintance,  and  a  happy  association  of  children  with  our 
church  life.  In  1878  the  church  was  frescoed  within,  an  organ  recess 
built,  and  a  new  organ  placed  in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit.  The  cost  of  this 
organ  was  eleven  hundred  dollars,  toward  which  the  old  one  counted  for 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  The  cost  of  the  other  improve- 
ments was  about  four  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  While  these 
repairs  were  going  on  the  congregation  worshiped  in  the  church  parlors, 
and  were  comfortably  accommodated.  This  chapel  and  parlors  were  en- 
tirely destroyed  by  fire  February  thirteenth,  1885,  and  the  present  chapel 
building  was  erected  on  the  same  site  during  the  following  summer,  at  a 
cost  of  four  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  for  the  building,  and  seven 
hundred  and  thirty  dollars  for  furnishing.  As  the  former  building  was 
insured  for  four  thousand  six  hundred  dollars,  the  additional  cost  of  this 
one  was  six  hundred  and  thirty  dollars.  In  the  summer  of  1890  the 
church  edifice  was  extensively  repaired  within  and  without.  New  win- 
dows, new  pews,  new  lighting,  new  furniture,  and  a  new  finish  have 
given  us  our  present  tasteful  and  comfortable  sanctuary.  The  cost  of 
this  improvement  has  been  about  four  thousand  dollars. 

By  examining  the  record  it  will  be  seen  by  the  numbers  joining  by 
profession  that  this  church  has  been  favored  with  seasons  of  special 
religious  awakening  about  once  in  four  years.  These  seasons  generally 
began  with  the  week  of  prayer,  and  have  greatly  strengthened  the  church 
by  bringing  in  successive  companies  of  new  members.  The  largest 
number  uniting  by  profession  at  any  one  time  was  in  1885,  when  fifty-one 
were  received.  At  ten  other  times  from  fifteen  to  forty  have  been 
received.  The  work  of  these  special  seasons  has  always  been  done  by 
the  members  with  their  minister,  except  in  1885,  when  Rev.  Rufus 
Underwood,  an  evangelist,  assisted  for  two  weeks.  The  whole  number 
of  members  from  the  beginning  to  January  first,  1895,  is  seven  hundred 
and  seventy-two,  of  which  three  hundred  and  ninety  joined  by  pro- 
fession, and  three  hundred  and  eighty-two  by  letter. 

If  it  should  seem  to  any  that  more  space  is  given  in  this  sketch  to  the 
buildings  than  to  spiritual  work,  it  is  because  the  material  part  can 
better  be  put  into  figures.  Christian  transformation  of  character  and 
the  divine  tempering  of  spirit  which  sweeten  the  life  that  now  is,  and 


RELIGIOUS    HISTORV. 


139 


prepare  us  for  that  which  is  to  come,  are  more  precious  than  silver 
and  gold.  What  has  been  our  success  in  this  direction  in  the  thirty  years 
of  our  church  life  now  completed  cannot  be  stated  in  words  or  figures. 
We  believe  it  has  been  as  great  as  our  faithfulness  has  deserved,  and  that 
it  will  endure  in  glory  immortal  when  all  trace  of  these  material  struc- 
tures shall  have  vanished. 

1866-1891. 

1!y  Frank  N.  Look. 

A  pastorate  of  twenty-five  years  does  not  come  to  the  lot  of  many 
ministers  at  the  present  time.  Conditions  of  life  now  change  rapidly, 
and  mere  custom  ceases  to  be  the  dominating  influence,  as  of  old,  in 
deciding  many  of  our  problems  and 
relations.  Such  a  pastorate  marks 
both  the  minister  and  people.  Be 
the  church  really  alive  to  all  its 
possibilities,  and  in  vital  sympathy 
with  them,  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart  are  at  once  demanded  of  the 
pastor,  that  not  all  possess. 

A  progressive  church  demands 
a  progressive  minister,  having  full 
sympathy  with  it,  in  all  of  its  work. 
To  work  thus  unitedly  for  twenty- 
five  years  manifests  many  great  and 
admirable  qualities,  and  hearty 
cooperation  of  pastor  and  people. 
Such  a  service  could  not  be  limited 
to  the  immediate  members  of  the 
church  itself,  and  the  expression  of 
interest  on  the  part  of  all  of  the 
people  of  Florence,  when,  on  Octo- 
ber twenty-second,  1891,  the  quarter 
centennial  of  the    pastorate  of   the 

Rev.  E.  G.  Cobb  was  commemorated,  bore  striking  testimony  to  this  fact. 
His  service  had  been  to  the  people,  irrespective  of  creed  or  nationality. 
It  was  a  normal  pastorate,  for  it  had  grown  more  happy,  more  fruitful, 
and  more  useful  every  year. 

The  history  of  this  church,  covered  by  this  quarter  of  a  century, 
includes  many  days  of  uncertainty  and  of  opposition,  difficult  for  the 
present  generation  to  understand,  but  through  the  wise  guidance  of  its 
pastor,  inspired   by  his  love    for  all    men,  and    his  strong   faith   in   God's 


CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCH 


140 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


leading,  the    church    has   been    molded    into   what   it  is,   "liberal    toward 
everything  good,  and  the  good  in  everything." 

No  commemorative  service  could  surpass  this  in  expressions  of  joy 
and  thankfulness,  for  all  that  it  represented. 

Sons  and  daughters  from  afar  joined  in  the  rare  celebration,  and  it  is 
a  matter  of  great  satisfaction  that   the  life  of  Julius  Phelps  was  spared 

to  extend  the  welcome  of 
the  church  at  this  time. 
His  long  life  in  Florence, 
being  at  that  time  the  old- 
est member  of  the  church, 
his  keen  observation,  his 
strong  character,  ripened 
into  all  its  fullness  through 
the  example  and  counsel 
of  Mr.  Cobb,  especially 
fitted  him  to  be  the  voice 
of  the  church   itself. 

The  coming  of  Mr.  Cobb 
to  Florence  had  always 
seemed  to  him  to  have  been 
of  divine  leading,  and  the 
joys  of  the  occasion  were  heightened  because  of  the  presence  of  the  ven- 
erable and  beloved  Professor  Tyler  of  Amherst,  through  whom  the 
church  was  brought  to  know  of  Mr.  Cobb  in  1866.  Said  Professor  Tyler, 
at  the  close  of  his  very  interesting  address,  "  Let  me  give  you  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship  for  another  twenty-five  years.  I  shall  not  be  living 
when  you  reach  that  goal,  but  I  hope  to  be  among  the  great  cloud  of 
witnesses  who  will  look  down  from  heaven,"  and  the  people  said  "Amen." 
The  Rev.  H.  C.  Hovey,  the  first  pastor  of  the  church,  brought  cordial 
greeting  and  interesting  reminiscences  of  the  early  life  of  the  church. 

Dr.  David  Torrey,  the  early  pastor  of  Mr.  Cobb,  and  his  lifelong 
friend,  spoke  in  his  brilliant  and  fascinating  manner,  of  the  early  life  of 
Mr.  Cobb,  and  of  the  happy  results  of  his  pastorate. 

Mr.  A.  L.  Williston,  ever  the  friend  of  pastor  and  church,  to  whom 
more  than  to  any  other  man  the  Florence  Church  has  always  turned  for 
counsel  and  for  aid,  gave  a  very  valuable  history  of  the  period  covered 
by  this  twenty-five  years,  as  well  as  of  the  years  preceding.  The  results 
of  this  pastorate  were  made  possible  largely  through  the  quiet,  constant, 
and  faithful  work  of  the  wife  of  the  pastor.  Her  genuine  interest  in  the 
young  men  and  boys,  particularly,  her  love  for  them,  has  made  men  of 
large  numbers  of  them.     Her  Sunday-school  class,  like  the  church,  has 


;ON~GREGATIONAL   CHAPEL. 


RELIGIOUS    HISTORY. 


141 


always  had  a  changing  membership,  having  been  as  a  training  school, 
fitting  young  men  for  wider  activities,  for  a  broader  life. 

That  many  were  not  able  to  be  present,  but  sent  their  tributes  of 
congratulation  and  thankfulness,  for  the  memory  of  her  work,  showed 
that  in  the  work  of  life  they  were  bearing  their  part  with  heart  stronger 
for  conflict,  and  with  mind  clearer  because  of  the  teachings  and  example 
received  from  Mrs.  Cobb. 

Letters  from  friends  far  and  near,  full  of  congratulations  and  good 
wishes,  and    gifts  to  both  pastor  and  wife,  expressed   the    love  of    the 


NEAR    THE    RIVER  "LOVERS'    LANE." 


people  for  them,  for  "  how  much  the  faithful  pastor  and  his  equally 
faithful  wife  have  done  in  molding  and  influencing  the  intellectual, 
moral,  and  spiritual  life  of  the  community."  Could  such  heartfelt 
tributes  produce  other  result  than  at  the  close  of  the  day,  when  Mr. 
Cobb  so  appropriately  expressing  his  appreciation,  said,  "  I  give  you  my 
most  hearty  thanks  and  offer  myself  afresh  to  the  service  of  the  Lord  in 
this  church." 

Three  years  more  of  this  pastorate  have  passed  since  this  silver  wed- 
ding, and  stand  as  an  auspicious  omen  for  the  attainment  of  the  second 
quarter  century,  the  golden  wedding  of  this  rich  and  happy  union. 


142 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


METHODISM    IN    FLORENCE. 
By  Mary  E.  Gould. 

Early  in  the  history  of  Florence,  Methodists  held  preaching  services  ; 
they  were  indeed  the  first  to  hold  a  Sunday  service,  the  people  being 
obliged  to  go  to  Northampton  to  worship  in  the  earliest  days.  In  1848 
we  have  record  that  Rev.  Thomas  Marcey  preached  here,  though  not  as 

an  appointed  pastor ;  but  in 
1855  Rev.  Jonas  M.  Clark  was 
appointed  by  the  New  England 
Conference,  pastor  of  the  Flor- 
ence Methodist  Church,  which 
had  then  twenty-five  mem- 
bers. A  flourishing  Sabbath- 
school  was  held,  of  which  J. 
B.  Whitehouse  was  superin- 
tendent ;  A.  G.  Hill,  secretary  ; 
and  H.  B.  Haven,  librarian. 
The  library  was  the  gift  of  a 
patient  at  Dr.  Munde's  water 
cure. 

The  following  year  the 
Northampton  pastor  supplied 
the  Florence  and  Leeds 
churches  ;  and  in  1857  Rev. 
John  Noon  was  stationed  here, 
and  services  were  held  in  the 
North  schoolhouse,  on  the 
corner  of  Meadow  and  Park 
streets,  now  occupied  by  M.  C. 
Howard's  paint  store.  The  business  panic  of  1857-8  made  it  difficult  to 
pay  the  preacher's  salary  and  for  that  or  unknown  reasons  no  pastor 
came  to  take  Mr.  Noon's  place,  and  the  church  disappeared. 

Eighteen  hundred  and  seventy  marks  the  beginning  of  the  present 
society  ;  in  the  summer  of  that  year,  James  E.  Smith  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  W.  King  started  a  Methodist  prayer  meeting  at  the  home  of  the  latter, 
a  brick  house  on  Maple  street  which  was  torn  down  to  be  replaced  by 
Contractor  Latham's  stone  residence.  So  much  interest  was  manifested  in 
the  prayer  meeting  that  a  class  meeting  was  started.  Both  meetings  soon 
outgrew  private  houses  and  a  hall  in  Little's  block  was  rented,  where 
Sunday  services  were  also  held,  with  preaching  by  the  Methodist  minis- 


METHODIST    EPISCOPAL   CHURCH. 


RELIGIOUS    HISTORY.  143 

ter  from  the  Northampton  church,  Rev.  J.  S.  Whedon  ;  later  two 
Wesleyan  Academy  students,  who  were  preparing  for  the  ministry,  came 
on  alternate  Sabbaths  to  conduct  the  services.  One  of  them,  Rev. 
George  Sanderson,  was  afterwards  stationed  here. 

The  hall  in  Little's  block  soon  became  too  small,  and  in  January, 
1S71,  Davis  Hall  was  rented  and  a  church  formally  .organized,  the  con- 
ference in  April  appointing  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Bishop,  the  first  pastor. 
Rev.  Bishop  served  the  church  most  acceptably  for  two  years,  during 
which  time  the  land  for  the  present  church  was  purchased  and  plans  for 
the  building  made  by  Architect  Thayer,  of  Boston,  and  the  membership 
of  the  society  increased  from  twenty-one  to  seventy-five. 

Rev.  William  H.  Cook  was  pastor  from  1873  to  1875  ;  during  his 
pastorate  the  church  was  erected  and  the  vestry  finished  and  dedicated. 
The  dedicatory  exercises  were  held  September  30,  1874.  Rev.  D.  Richards 
of  Northampton,  Rev.  E.  G.  Cobb,  H.  K.  Parsons,  and  the  pastor  took 
part  in  the  dedication,  and  Rev.  R.  R.  Meredith  preached  on  the  sub- 
ject, "  Divine  Origin  of  Christianity."  After  the  sermon,  Rev.  George 
Whittaker,  then  presiding  elder  of  Springfield  district,  made  an  appeal 
for  subscriptions  and  secured  eight  hundred  dollars.  At  the  evening 
session  Rev.  E.  R.  Thorndike,  of  Williamsburg,  read  the  opening  hymn. 
Rev.  N.  H.  Martin  offered  prayer,  and  addresses  were  made  by  Rev. 
Messrs.  E.  G.  Cobb,  George  Whittaker,  John  A.  Cass,  and  T.  W.  Bishop. 

Rev.  Raymond  F.  Holway  followed  Mr.  Cook.  He  was  greatly 
beloved  by  the  people,  and  during  his  three  years'  stay  fifty  were  added 
to  the  church  and  much  accomplished  for  the  spiritual  and  intellectual 
life  of  the  people.  Rev.  Frank  Bowles  began  raising  the  church  debt, 
which  Rev.  George  Sanderson,  who  came  to  the  church  in  April,  1880, 
continued  with  so  much  zeal  and  such  indefatigable  labor  that  thirty- 
four  hundred  dollars  was  raised  and  the  property  freed  from  debt.  Not 
content  with  this  he  believed  the  church  might  be  finished  and  began 
collecting  funds  for  that  purpose,  and  work  on  the  audience  room  of  the 
church  was  begun.  At  this  time,  Rev.  M.  C.  Chapin  built  a  parsonage 
to  be  the  unincumbered  property  of  the  society  on  the  death  of  himself 
and  wife.  At  the  close  of  Rev.  Sanderson's  three  years  pastorate,  resolu- 
tions were  adopted  commending  his  faithful  labors,  and  thanking  him 
for  the  zeal  and  energy  he  had  so  unsparingly  used  for  the  good  of  the 
church. 

Rev.  A.  J.  Hall,  in  1883,  continued  the  work  of  raising  funds  for  the 
completion  of  the  church,  and  it  was  dedicated,  free  of  debt,  June  5,  1884. 
Bishop  Mallalieu  preached  from  Acts  ii.,  ^^.  Rev.  Dr.  Ela,  Rev.  Henry 
Matthews,  Rev.  A.  C.  Hussey,  Rev.  N.  Fellows,  then  presiding  elder,  and 
others  took  part  in  the   dedicatory  service,  and   Rev.  George  Sanderson 


144 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


preached  most  acceptably  the  following  Sabbath.  Brother  Hall  is  espe- 
cially remembered  for  his  faithful  pastoral  work,  the  poor  and  sick  find- 
ing in  him  a  sympathizing  friend. 

Rev.  J.  F.  Allen  was  pastor  from  1885-1888,  and  won  the  confidence 
of  the  whole  community,  though  he  did  not  hesitate  to  take  an  aggres- 
sive attitude  on  the  subject  of  intemperance,  and  other  evils.  He  secured 
a  fine  pipe  organ  for  the  church,  and  acted  for  a  while  as  superintendent 
of  the  Sabbath-school.  Rev.  A.  W.  Mills,  who  followed  Rev.  Allen,  is 
now  pastor  of  a  prominent  Brooklyn  church  ;  and  Rev.  A.  R.  Nichols  was 
stationed  here  from  1889  to  1891.  During  his  second  year  he  married 
Adella  Shepherd,  who  had  for  some  time  been  a  resident  of  Florence. 

Rev.  John  Peterson  changed  the  hour  of  the  preaching  service  from 
2    p.  M.  to  10.30   a.   m.,  and  the  Sabbath-school   session   now   follows  at 


CHURCH    OF   THE   ANNUNCIATION. 


11.45.  The  faithfulness  of  his  service  here  is  remembered  by  all  the 
people.  In  the  winter  of  1892  the  Christian  Crusaders  held  meetings  in 
the  vestry  with  good  results.  Rev.  George  F.  Durgin  began  his  pastoral 
relation  with  the  people  in  April,  1893,  being  succeeded  the  following 
year  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Stewart. 

Among  those  who  have  been  notable  in  their  support  of  the  church 
and  are  now  in  the  church  triumphant,  are  Adna  Back,  Ebenezer  Nut- 
ting, M.  C.  Chapin,  H.  K.  Parsons,  and  Frederick  W.  Moore  ;  while 
many  are  still  living  who  have  endured  hardness  as  good  soldiers,  that 
the  gospel  might  be  preached  from  the   "  corner  church." 


RELIGIOUS   HISTORY.  1 45 

The  church  sustains,  besides  the  Sabbath-school  and  preaching  serv- 
ices, prayer-meetings  on  Sunday  and  Friday  evenings,  class  meetings  on 
Wednesday  evening  of  each  week,  an  Epworth  League,  Mission  Band, 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 


THE  CHURCH   OF  THE  ANNUNCIATION. 
By  Rev.  P.  H.  Gallen. 

For  many  years  the  Catholics  of  Florence  attended  service  at  North- 
ampton. When  their  number  increased  sufficiently,  a  request  by  them 
for  a  separate  parish  was  granted  by  Bishop  O'Reilly,  and  Rev.  Cornelius 
Foley  was  appointed  the  first  rector  in  1S78.  The  new  parish  included 
Leeds,  Haydenville,  and  adjoining  districts.  For  some  time  the  services 
were  conducted  in  one  of  the  halls  of  Florence,  but  the  desire  for  a  new 
church  grew  stronger,  and  the  present  site  was  purchased. 

Great  enthusiasm  was  displayed  by  the  young  and  rapidly  growing 
parish,  and  much  encouragement  was  extended  by  the  leading  citizens 
of  other  churches^who,  with  characteristic  liberality,  subscribed  to  the 
undertaking.  Rev.  Mr.  Foley  having  been  sent  elsewhere  by  the  bishop, 
the  work  of  building  the  church  and  of  perfecting  the  parish  organiza- 
tion was  assumed  by  Rev.  P.  F.  Callery.  Few  outside  of  the  clergy 
comprehend  how  exacting  and  laborious  such  a  work  is.  All  the  respon- 
sibility is  thrown  upon  the  rector,  and  to  a  sensitive  nature  the  burden 
sometimes  is  very  hard  to  bear.  It  weighed  heavily  on  Father  Callery. 
However,  in  a  comparatively  short  time  success  attended  his  efforts,  and 
the  present  church  was  dedicated  October  third,  1880.  Since  that  time, 
the  society  has  been  undergoing  the  process  of  development  as  regards 
organization  and  usefulness.  Strenuous  efforts  were  made  from  time 
to  time  by  the  rector  and  people  to  pay  the  debt  contracted  in  building; 
societies  were  formed,  and  the  usual  work  of  a  Catholic  parish  was  car- 
ried forward  with  considerable  success.  It  was  interrupted  for  a  time 
by  the  death  of  Father  Callery,  whose  genial  nature  had  greatly  endeared 
him  to  his  people.  His  many  sterling  qualities  of  head  and  heart  were 
recognized  by  those  outside  his  church  as  well,  and  much  sorrow  was 
felt  by  the  community  in  general  at  his  death.  His  remains  are  at  rest 
near  the  entrance  to  the  church. 

For  seven  years  Father  Callery  had  been  ably  assisted  in  the  work  by 
Rev.  J.  J.  McMahon,  his  curate,  and  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
people  he  was  appointed  rector  in  August,  1886.  For  a  few  years  only 
did  he  fill  the  position,  until  death  called  him.  Scarcely  less  was  he 
mourned  than  his  predecessor  had  been.     Young  and    apparently  vigor- 


146 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


ous,  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  wants  of  the  parish,  a  pleasant, 
affable  manner,  and  most  winning  personality — great  hopes  were  centered 
in  him.      His  death,  in  March,  1889,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-three,  was 

a  severe  blow  to  his  people.  He  was 
buried  in  Fitchburg,  Mass.  Other 
priests  formerly  stationed  in  Flor- 
ence as  curates  were  Rev.  James 
Boyle,  now  rector  of  Ware,  Mass., 
and  Rev.  Thomas  Lucey,  curate  at 
the  Center. 

Father  McMahon  was  succeeded 
in  April,  1889,  by  Rev.  P.  H.  Gallen, 
the  present  rector.  He  was  born  in 
Milford,  Mass.,  March  17,  1855,  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools,  and 
made  the  higher  studies  under  the 
Jesuits  and  Franciscans.  He  was 
ordained  at  Springfield  in  May, 
1881,  and  his  first  appointment  was 
to  St.  John's  Church,  Worcester. 
The  following  year  he  was  sent  to 
Sacred  Heart  Church,  Holyoke, 
where  he  remained  until  May,  1883, 
thence  to  St.  Paul's,  Worcester,  where  he  spent  six  years. 

The  present  condition  of  the  Catholic  society  in  Florence  is  fairly 
satisfactory.  Its  membership  has  increased  from  a  few  families  in  the 
early  days  to  nearly  one  thousand  two  hundred  souls.  The  moral  stand- 
ing of  its  members  is  not  inferior  to  any  class  in  the  community,  and  in 
business  integrity  and  general  intelligence  they  are  second  to  none.  The 
old  feeling  of  distrust  toward  the  church  they  represent  has  disappeared, 
let  us  hope,  forever,  and  they  are  now  ready  and  anxious  to  promote  the 
good  fellowship  that  tends  to  united  moral  action  in  all  matters  pertain- 
ing to  the  welfare  of  the  community. 


ALTAR    OF    CATHOLIC    CHURCH. 


THF  FREE  CONGREGATIONAL  SOCIETY. 

By  Henry  15.  Haven. 

The  Free  Congregational  Society  of  Florence  really  had  its  founda- 
tion in  the  days  of  the  "  old  Community."  After  that  organization  dis- 
solved there  was  no  society  to  assume  the  support  of  regular  services,  but 


RELIGIOUS    HISTORY. 


147 


for  sonic   years   private  enterprise  sustained   regular  speaking,  until,   in 
1863,  the  following  call  was  issued  : — 

"To  the  people  of  Florence  and  vicinity:  All  interested  in  the  promotion  of 
good  morals,  general  education,  and  liberal  religious  sentiments,  whether  Catholic 
or  Protestant,  or  of  whatever  sect,  creed,  or  nationality,  are  invited  to  meet  at  the 
South  schoolhouse,  on  Tuesday,  May  third,  1863,  at  three  and  one-half  o'clock, 
p.  \i..  to  organize  arrangements  for  the  better  attainment  of  the  objects  above 
named." 

At  this  meeting  an  organization  was  formed  under  the  following 
Articles  of  Agreement  : — 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  inhabitants  of  Florence  and  its  vicinity,  in  the  town  of 
Northampton,  wishing  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  advantages  of  associate  effort  for 


COSMIAN    HALL. 


our  advancement  in  truth  and  goodness,  and  for  the  promotion  of  general  intel- 
ligence, good  morals,  and  liberal,  religious  sentiments,  do  hereby  agree  to  form 
ourselves  into  a  body  corporate,  under  the  name  of  the  '  Free  Congregational 
Society  of  Florence.' 

"  Respecting  in  each  other — and  in  all — the  right  of  intellect  and  conscience 
to  be  free,  and  holding  it  to  be  the  duty  of  [every  one  to  keep  his  mind  and  heart 
at  all  times  open  to  receive  the  truth  and  follow  its  guidance,  we  set  up  no  theo- 
logical condition  of  membership,  and  neither  demand  nor  expect  uniformity  of 
doctrinal  belief  ;  asking  only  unit}-  of  purpose  to  seek  and  accept  the  right  and 
true,  and  an  honest  aim  and  effort  to  make  these  the  rule  of  life.     And,  recogrniz- 


148 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


ing  the  brotherhood  oi  the  human  race  and  the  equality  oi  human  rights,  we  make 
no  distinction  as  to  the  conditions  and  rights  of  membership  in  this  society,  on 
account  oi  sex,  or  color,  or  nationality." 

To  these  Articles  of  Agreement,  thirty-three  active,  earnest,  and 
thoughtful  men  and  women  subscribed,  and  the  society,  established  upon 
the  principles  as  indicated  in  its  Articles  of  Agreement,  commenced  its 
work. 

Upon  the  first  organization  of  the  society  its  meetings  were  held  in  the 
South    schoolhouse,   but  in    April,  1864,  it    began  to  hold  its   meetings  in 

Florence  hall  and  chapel, 
which  were  rooms  made  for 
their  special  use  in  the  new 
schoolhouse  which  Mr.  S.  L. 
Hill  had  just  built  for  the  use 
of  Warner  school  district,  and 
to  which  he  gave  the  property, 
reserving,  in  his  gift  of  the 
building,  the  two  rooms  above 
mentioned,  and  a  third  room 
for  a  library  and  reading- 
room,  for  a  term  of  ten  years. 
The  use  of  these  three  rooms, 
which  occupied  the  whole  of 
the  second  story  of  the  present  school  building,  he  gave  to  the  society 
for   its  use,  for   the  time  lie  controlled    them. 

Near  the  expiration  of  this  ten  years,  all  the  rooms  in  the  building 
being  required  for  the  increasing  size  and  number  of  the  schools  in  the? 
village,  it  was  decided  to  build  a  hall,  not  only  adequate  for  all  the  uses  of 
the  society,  for  its  Sunday  services,  Sunday-school,  and  social  gatherings, 
but  of  a  capacity  and  design  suitable  for  all  general  public  meetings 
liable  to  be  called  for  in  a  village  of  the  size,  enterprise,  and  public  spirit 
of  Norence.  The  result  is  Cosmian  Hall,  a  noble  edifice,  built  in  a  com- 
manding location,  with  ample  arrangements  lor  the  general  uses  of  the 
public  in  its  main  hall,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  nearly  seven  hundred,  with 
large  stage  and  abundant  stage  appointments,  including  organ  and  grand 
piano.  This  hall  has  been  opened  on  all  occasions  of  general  public- 
interest,  celebrations,  and  anniversaries,  for  the  people's  use,  without  any 
expense  to  them  or  the  town. 

Cosmian  Hall  was  dedicated  in  1  «S 7 4 ,  and  cost  about  forty  thousand 
dollars, — Mr.  S.  L.  Hill  contributing  much  the  larger  part,  Mr.  A.  T. 
Lilly,  about  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  the  balance  by  subscription  in  the 
societv.      In    1893,  a    platform  for  the   choir  was  built    to  the  right  of   the 


PROSCENIUM    AKC1I — COSMIAN    HALL. 


RELIGIOUS    HISTORY 


'49 


stage,  and  the  capacity  of  the  organ  was  nearly  doubled.  The  lower 
story  contains  lower  Cosmian  Hall,  and  connecting  recitation  rooms  for 
use  of  Sunday-school  and  other  purposes,  also  double  parlors,  with 
adjoining  kitchen  accommodations  for  use  of  the  Industrial  Union. 

For  some  years  previous  to  the  organization  of  the  society,  Mr.  C.  C. 
Burleigh  was  a  regular  lecturer,  supported  by  private  enterprise,  and  he 
remained  the  resident  speaker  after  its  organization,  for  ten  years.  Miss 
Elizabeth  M.  Powell,  now  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Powell  Bond,  officiated  as 
assistant  in  1871  and  1872,  succeeded  by  Mr.  Roland  Connor  in  the  last 
named  year,  until  Mr.  Burleigh  resigned  in  [873,  when  Mr.  Connor 
became  resident  speaker  for  one  year.  David  II.  Clark  was  resident 
speaker  for  three  years,  to  1878.  Mr.  W.  II.  Spencer  and  Mrs.  Anna 
Garland  Spencer  jointly  held  the  office  from  1881  to  1884,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Powell  Pond  from  1884  to  1886,  and  Rev.  F.  A.  Hinckley  has  been  the 
minister  since  September  first,  1888. 

During  various  times,  in  which  the  society  has  not  had  a  regular  min- 
ister, the  desk  has  been 
supplied     by    some     of 
the  best  speakers  from 

the  liberal   and    reform  ^."Z  — ,:■;■    liw 

ranks,    among    others:        >\        '  ^H|\   ,?. :'u . 
Theodore   D.  Weld,  A.    ''■        V 
Hronson    Alcott,    Sam- 
uel  Longfellow,    Fred- 
erick     Douglass,    Wil- 
liam   Lloyd    Garrison, 
Ralph  Waldo  Emerson, 
John      W.      Chad  wick, 
Felix  Adler,and  George 
W.  Cable  ;    the   design 
being  to   secure    the    representation    of  all  phases  of   sincere  thought  on 
moral  and  religious  subjects. 

The  position  of  the  society  cannot  be  better  stated  than  from  an 
extract  from  its  executive  committees'  reports.  "This  society  believes 
that  in  this  free  interchange  of  thought  and  ideas,  and  in  the  hospitality 
that  is  willing  to  listen  to  diverse  religious  theories,  is  the  surest  promise 
of  the  truth  that  maketh  free,  which  Lord  Bacon  pronounces  'the 
sovereign  good  of  human  nature.'  " 

The  minister  is  not,  like  the  minister  or  pastor  of  most  religious  socie- 
ties, pledged  to  advocate  and  defend  a  formal  statement  of  faith.  He  is 
under  no  intellectual  bonds.  He  is  at  liberty  to  express  freely  his  latest 
thought,  and  it  is  understood  he  speaks  only  for  himself. 


■• 


ENTKANI'K    TO    COSMIAN     IIAI.L. 


150  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

From  the  first  organization  of  the  society  the  Sunday-school  has  been 
sustained  with  success  and  usefulness,  as  a  very  important  branch  of  the 
work  of  the  society.  It  is  held  in  the  forenoon  of  each  Sunday,  and  is 
opened  with  singing  and  responsive  reading,  followed,  first,  by  class 
work,  and  then  by  general  exercises,  including  a  talk  by  the  superin- 
tendent. There  are  at  present  classes  in  the  study  of  the  life  of  Jesus, 
the  life  and  work  of  Paul,  and  a  class  of  adults  in  the  economic  and 
moral  bearings  of  political  economy.  The  little  folks,  of  whom  there  are 
three  classes,  receive  moral  instruction  by  means  of  illustrated  cards. 

A  very  useful  adjunct  to  the  society  is  the  Ladies'  Industrial  Union, 
composed  of  the  ladies  of  the  society  and  others,  who,  during  the  winter, 
hold  semi-monthly  afternoon  meetings  in  the  parlors,  doing  such  work  in 
the  line  of  sewing  as  is  presented,  and  afterwards  in  providing  a  supper 
for  such  members  of  the  society  as  care  to  attend,  followed  by  a  social 
evening,  which  may  include  dancing.  The  Union  yearly  turns  into  the 
general  expense  fund  some  hundreds  of  dollars  as  the  result  of  their 
work. 

One  of  the  first  works  of  the  society  after  its  organization  was  the 
establishment  of  a  free  public  library  and  reading  room,  in  one  of  the 
rooms  provided  by  Mr.  Hill's  liberality  for  that  purpose.  Subscriptions 
of  books  were  liberally  made  by  the  members  of  the  society,  Mr.  Hill 
buying  hundreds  of  volumes  for  the  purpose,  and  a  good  library  and 
reading  room  was  maintained  by  the  society  for  the  general  public,  for 
several  years  ;  eventually  laying  the  foundation  of  the  present  Florence 
branch  of  the  public  library. 

The  Free  Congregational  Society  of  Florence  was  one  of  the  first 
religious  bodies  to  organize  on  a  platform  of  entire  free  thought  and  free 
speech.  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  state  here  that  the  two  largest  contrib- 
utors and  active  supporters  of  this  society  have  not  confined  their  bene- 
factions to  it  exclusivelv.  but  have  devised  their  property  so  all  the 
people  of  the  village  are  receiving  the  benefit  of  it  :  Mr.  S.  L.  Hill  in 
the  building  and  gift  to  the  village  of  the  fine  large  schoolhouse  and 
later  by  his  endowment  of  the  kindergarten,  and  Mr.  A.  T.  Lilly  by  his 
gift  of  the  Lilly  Library,  and  five  thousand  dollars  for  books  for  the  use 
of  the  village,  and  his  large  estate  to  the  trustees  of  the  Florence  kinder- 
garten, to  be  used  for  educational  purposes. 


EDUCATIONAL  HISTORY. 


THE  FLORENCE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 
By  William  D.  Miller. 

Until  1866  Northampton  was  divided  into  school  districts.  The 
town,  in  town  meeting  assembled,  elected  a  general  committee  of  six 
who  had  the  general  oversight  of  the  schools.  Each  district  had  a  com- 
plete organization  of  j»>  , 
its  own,  built  and 
took  charge  of  its 
buildings  and  hired 
its  teachers.  The 
chief  executive  offi- 
cer was  a  prudential 
c  o  m  m  ittee.  The 
town  raised  a  certain  K 
amount  of  money 
for  the  support  of 
the  schools,  and 
divided  it  among 
the  districts,  which 
raised  any  addi- 
tional amount  required  by  direct  tax  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  district, 
or  by  subscription.  The  district  including  Florence  was  called  the 
"  Warner  district."     Leeds  was  known  as  "  Rail  Hill  district." 

The  earliest  written  record  that  can  be  found  begins  with  the  year 
1845,  but  the  printed  town  reports  date  back  to  1838.  The  first  school- 
house  in  the  Warner  district  was  a  one-room,  wooden  building  on  North 
Main  street,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  John 
F.  Warner,  and  near  Mr.  J.  L.  Campbell's  house.  Traces  of  its  founda- 
tion can  still  be  found  near  a  large  maple  tree. 

Sometime  between  1825  and  1830,  the  voters  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  district  outnumbered  those  in  the  western  part,  and  the  schoolhouse 
was  moved  to  what  is  now  the  center  of  the  village,  and  located  on  the 
corner  of  Park  and  Meadow  streets,  near  the  cemetery.  This  caused  so 
much  dissatisfaction  in  the  western  part  that  a  school  was  for  some  time 
maintained  bv  the  Warner  families  in  their  houses,  at  their  own  expense, 


THE    SECOND   SCHOOLHOUSE   IN    THE    "WARNER    DISTRICT." 


i52 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


and  later  a  schoolhouse  was  built  by  them  on  the  corner  of  North  Main 
street  and  Bridge  road,  the  foundation  of  which  still  remains.  So  far  as 
is  known,  the  town  did  not  aid  in  the  support  of  this  school.  The  build- 
ing was  afterwards  moved  to  the  east  side  of  Park  street,  and  is  now 
the  first  house  south  of  the  late  Mr.  A.  W.  Shumway's. 

Under  date  of  February  sixth,  1846,  the  following  is  found  in  the 
district  record  book  : — 

"  Voted,  To  build  a  schoolhouse  the  coming  season,  by  unanimous  vote. 

"  Voted,  To  build  a  one-story  house. 

"  Voted,  That  individuals  by  subscription  can  have  the  privilege  of  putting  on 
an  additional  story  if  there  be  money  enough  raised  by  subscription  to  defray  the 
expense  of  the  same. 

"  Voted,  That  it  be  at  or  near  the  place  where  the  old  schoolhouse  now 
stands." 

The  "  old  schoolhouse  "  mentioned  was  the  one  that  had  been  moved 
from  North  Main  street  and  placed  on  the  corner  of  Park  and  Meadow 
streets.  This  house  was  sold  to  Nathan  Olney  for  twenty-six  dollars,  and 
moved  to  the  corner  where  the  Methodist  church  now  stands.  When 
this  church  was  built,  the  house  was  moved  a  few  rods  to  the  south,  and 
now  forms  a  part  of  the  house  occupied  by  Mr.  Austin  Allis.  It  appears 
that  individuals  did  not  take  advantage  of  the  privilege  offered  them  of 
putting  on  an  additional  story,  as  a  one-story  brick  building  was  erected 
at  a  total  cost  of  $487.82,  which  building  now  forms  the  lower  story  of 
the  building  occupied  by  Messrs.  Howard  &  Rice.  This  was  afterwards 
known  as  the  "  North  schoolhouse." 

The  first  account  entered  in  the  record  book  shows  the  expenses  of 
the  district  for  the  year  1845-6  to  have  been  $94.45.  The  next  year  the 
expenses  were  $148.74,  the  teacher  receiving  $2.50  a  week,  and  the  district 
paying  $1.25  a  week  for  her  board.  An  item  showing  the  cost  of  wood 
at  that  time  is  —  "One  half  cord  hard  wood,  $1.25."  Another,  showing 
the  price  paid  for  labor, —  "  For  sawing  and  splitting  two  cords  wood, 
$1.00." 

April  thirtieth,  1845,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  see  about  the 
expenses  of  a  new  schoolhouse  or  an  addition  to  the  old  one.  This 
committee  recommended  building  a  new  schoolhouse.  The  report  was 
adopted  and  a  building  committee  appointed,  which  built  a  one  story 
brick  building  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  present  High  school 
building  at  a  total  cost  of  $774.15.  Mr.  Hill  furnished  seats  and  outline 
maps  at  his  own  expense.     This  was  known  as  the  South  schoolhouse. 

Besides  the  main  room  there  was  a  small  square  addition  opening 
into  it,  which  was  known  as  the  stove  room,  and  contained  a  large  box 
stove,  designed    to  warm   the  larger   room.      One    who  was    there  says  it 


EDUCATIONAL    HISTORY 


*53 


often  was  so  cold  in   the  main  room    that  the  pupils   took  turns    in  going 
into  the  stove  room  to  get  warm. 

One  winter  a  man  was  hired  to  teach  geography  by  singing  the 
names  of  capitals,  capes,  etc.,  to  popular  tunes.  The  following  was  a 
verse  sung  to  the  tune  of  Yankee  Doodle  : — 

•'  Mr.  Brewster  went  one  day 
From  Cape  North  to  Gloucester  Haw 
To  bid  Farewell  to  a  certain  man 
Whose  name  was  Mr.  Walsingham." 


The  whole  school  sung  while  one  pupil  pointed  out  the  places  on  the 
map  as  they  were  named. 

At  this  time  there  was  no  public  building  in  Florence  and  the  school- 
house    was   used   as    a 
public  hall  and  for  re- 
ligious services. 

The  space  between 
the  teacher's  desk  and 
the  seats  was  utilized 
for  dances,  the  gentle- 
men paying  three  cents 
apiece  for  the  services 
of  a  violinist. 

The  ground  in  front 
of  the  schoolhouse, 
which  is  now  occupied 
by  the  Congregational 
church  and  chapel,  was 
covered  with  a  thick 
growth  of  pine  trees, 
through  which  a  foot- 
path led  to  the  school- 
house.  The  present 
school  yard  was  used 
as  a  lumber  yard  for 
the    mill     below,     and 

there  is  a  tradition  that  one  of  the  committee  from  Northampton,  a  good 
old  doctor,  while  trying  to  guide  his  sleigh  among  the  logs  to  the  school- 
house,  tipped  over,  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  boys  ;  but  this  acci- 
dent did  not  prevent  his  going  to  sleep  in  the  warm  schoolroom  and 
sleeping  through  his  entire  visit. 


HIGH    SCHOOL    F.UILDING. 


J54 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


Concerning  the  school  grounds,  the  following  report  of  a  committee 
in  1855  is  given  : — 

"  In  the  school  yards  we  behold  a  barren  waste  in  regard  to  which  the  public 
appear  to  take  no  other  interest  than  in  making  it  a  common  wood  and  lumber 
yard.  Catching  their  inspiration  by  means  of  such  influences  from  without, 
added  to  the  gloom,  monotony,  and  too  often  uninteresting  performances  within, 
we  need  not  wonder  if  the  children  consider  the  schoolhouse  as  an  old  Bastile 
and  show  their  utter  contempt  for  the  whole  system  by  cutting  up  the  benches 
and  throwing  stones  at  the  windows." 

About  the  same  time  the  committee  passed  the  following  vote  : — 

"  Voted,  That  the  prudential  committee  be  authorized  to  notify  the  parents  of 
children  to  visit  the  school  each  week,  two  from  each  family." 

The  record  does  not  state  whether  this  plan  was  carried  out  by  the 
people  of  the  district.  The  younger  pupils  went  to  the  North  school- 
house,  the  older  or  more  advanced  to  the  South.  A  sweeping  list  was 
kept  and  the  pupils  took  turns  in  sweeping  the  rooms. 

In  i860  the  annual   expense  had   risen    to  four  hundred  and  fifty-three 

dollars.  In  the  winter  of 
1859-60,  D.  W.  Bond  taught 
sixteen  weeks  for  five  dollars 
a  week.  At  this  time  (i860), 
it  was  voted  to  sell  the  North 
schoolhouse  and  build  a  new 
one  near  the  South  school- 
house,  and  a  committee  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  plans  and 
estimates  reported  that  a 
substantial  two  story  brick 
building  thirty-four  by  sixty 
feet  could  be  built  for  four 
thousand  dollars,  and  recom- 
mended that  both  school- 
houses  be  sold  and  the  pro- 
ceeds put  into  a  new  one. 
No  action  was  taken  until 
1862,  when  Mr.  S.  L.  Hill 
offered  to  raise  by  subscription  such  a  sum  as,  added  to  the  proceeds 
lrom  the  sale  of  the  old  buildings,  would  make  up  one  thousand  five  hun- 
dred dollars,  on  condition  that  the  district  raise  one  thousand  dollars  by 
direct  tax,  and  the  town  appropriate  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 
This  the  town  refused  to  do,  and  the  district  voted  to  postpone  the  mat- 
ter indefinitely. 


OLD    PINES,    NEAR    SCHOOLHOUSE,    IN    1875. 


EDUCATIONAL    HISTORY 


'55 


In  1S63  Mr.  Hill  offered  to  build  a  schoolhouse  himself  if  the  district 
would  raise  two  thousand  dollars  by  direct  lax  and  give  him  both  the 
old  buildings,  he  to  retain  the  use  of  the  second  story  for  ten  years,  after 
which  time  the  whole  building  should  be  used  for  school  purposes.  The 
offer  was  accepted,  and  Mr.  Hill  built  the  present  schoolhouse  at  a  cost 
of  over  thirty-three  thousand  dollars 
above  the  amount  raised  by  the  dis- 
trict. At  a  district  meeting  held  March 
21,  1865,  a  resolution  was  passed  which 
expressed  in  the  strongest  terms  the 
gratitude  of  the  people  for  this  splen- 
did gift. 

The  name  of  the  district  was 
changed  to  Florence  in  1865,  and  in 
1866  the  district  system  was  abolished 
and  the  present  system  adopted.  As 
the  school  buildings  of  the  Florence 
district  were  worth  more  than  the 
buildings  in  the  other  districts,  upon 
taking  possession  of  the  school  prop- 
erty the  town  paid  the  Florence  dis- 
trict   a    certain     amount     of    money, 

which  was  paid    by  making  a    pro  rata  reduction    in   the   taxes   for   that 
year  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  district. 

Mr.  Hill  believed  that  a  superintendent  of  schools  was  necessary,  and 
in  1868  offered  to  pay  five  hundred  dollars  towards  the  salary  of  one,  if 
the  town  would  pay  the  balance.  The  offer  was  accepted,  and  the  five 
hundred  dollars  paid  by  Mr.  Hill  for  four  years. 

The  introduction  of  music  into  the  public  schools  met  with  much 
opposition,  and  in  1868  Mr.  Williston  and  Mr.  Hill  hired  Mr.  Henry 
Jones  to  teach  music  in  the  schools,  as  an  experiment.  He  was  afterward 
hired  by  the  town.  The  Free  Congregational  Society  moved  to  Cosmian 
Hall  in  1S74,  and  Mr.  Hill  surrendered  the  entire  building  to  the  use  of 
the  schools.  The  second  story  has  been  divided  into  rooms  and  the 
heating  arrangements  altered  ;  otherwise,  very  little  change  has  been 
made  since  that  time. 

A  list  of  the  principals  of  the  Florence  schools  :  Miss  Mary  Bond, 
appointed  1865  ;  Miss  Chiara  A.  Curtis  (Plimpton),  1868  ;  Miss  Susie  L. 
Leach,  1S70  ;  Miss  Mary  E.  Hester,  1874;  Miss  Sarah  A.  Hunt,  1875  ; 
Mr.  Asa  B.  Copeland,  1876  ;  Mr.  Charles  S.  Palmer,  18S0  ;  Mr.  W.  F. 
Nichols,  1881  ;  Mr.  W.  M.  Green,  1882  ;  Mr.  George  A.  Hoadley,  1883; 
Mr.  William  D.  Miller,  1886. 


l'INE    STREET    SCHOOLHOUSE. 


156  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

THE  KINDERGARTEN. 

One  of  the  institutions  which  has  given  to  Florence  a  more  than 
local  fame  is  the  kindergarten.  Established  in  1876,  it  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the  country.  At  a  time  when  in  our 
large  cities  such  an  institution  existed  only  for  the  favored  few,  the 
children  of  wealth,  and  occasionally  in  connection  with  mission  work  for 
the  very  poor,  the  little  village  of  Florence  enjoyed  the  distinction  of 
having  a  well  equipped  kindergarten  which  was  thoroughly  democratic, 
knowing  no  high  and  no  low,  no  rich  and  no  poor. 

In  1884-86  Mrs.  Leland  Stanford  opened,  in  San  Francisco,  six  kin- 
dergartens as  memorials  of  her  beloved  son,  Leland  Stanford,  Jr.,  but  it 
was  not  until  1891  that  they  were  endowed,  so  that  up  to  that  time  the 
Florence  institution  was  probably  the  only  endowed  kindergarten  in  the 
country.  It  is  still  one  of  the  few  kindergartens  with  a  building  of  its 
own,  planned  with  special  reference  to  its  needs,  and  having  spacious 
lawn  and  playgrounds. 

To  speak  of  the  Florence  kindergarten  is  to  be  reminded  of  Samuel 
L.  Hill,  whose  generous  benefaction  to  the  village  it  is,  and  whose  memo- 
rial it  will  long  remain.  It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  value  of  such 
an  institution  to  a  community.  There  is  striking  testimony  to  the  value 
of  kindergarten  training  in  a  recent  report  of  the  Golden  Gate  Kinder- 
garten Association  of  San  Francisco.  After  most  careful  investigation, 
they  fail  to  find  among  the  juvenile  offenders  of  that  city  the  names  of 
any  of  the  thousands  who  have  been  connected  with  the  kindergartens, 
and  this  in  face  of  the  fact  that  the  kindergartens  are  located  in  the 
districts  which  are  the  hotbeds  of  vice.  The  conditions  are  very  differ- 
ent here  ;  the  children  generally  come  from  orderly  homes,  and  yet  it  is 
not  necessary  to  be  much  upon  our  streets  to  realize  that  here  as  else- 
where there  is  great  need  of  an  elevation  of  moral  sentiment,  and  in  this 
direction  the  kindergarten  is  a  vital  force. 

From  the  early  days  of  Florence,  Mr.  Hill  was  deeply  interested  in 
all  efforts  for  the  mental  and  moral  advancement  of  its  people,  supply- 
ing from  his  own  means  needed  appliances  for  the  schools,  special  teach- 
ers, and  even  a  school  building.  After  his  retirement  from  active  business, 
he  gave  much  thought  to  educational  problems,  and  pondered  deeply 
the  question  how  best  to  help  the  youth  of  Florence  to  true  and  noble 
manhood  and  womanhood.  The  more  he  pondered  the  subject,  the 
stronger  grew  his  conviction  that  "  the  seed  sown  in  life's  early  spring- 
time takes  deepest  root."  In  those  days,  Elizabeth  P.  Peabody  was  one 
of  the  few  enthusiastic  preachers  of  the  kindergarten  idea,  and  to  her 
Mr.  Hill  went  for  counsel.     At  his  solicitation  she  came  to  Florence,  and 


IM.    \  riONAL    HISTORY. 


'57 


in  a  lecture  at  Cosmian  Hall  set  forth  the  I'Yoebelian  philosophy. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  effect  upon  the  minds  of  the  majority  of 
her  hearers,  Mr.  Hill,  whose  mind,  by  long  consideration  of  the  subject, 
was  prepared  to  apprehend  the  truth  that  was  in  her  discourse,  decided 
to  make  trial  of  this  new  educational  idea,  and,  with  his  usual  prompt- 
ness, he  set  about  perfecting  the  necessary  arrangements.  A  few  weeks 
later,  in  January,  1876,  he  opened  in  the  parlors  of  his  own  house  a  kin- 
dergarten.    A  brief  trial  was  sufficient  to  conyince  him  that  he  had  made 


FLORENCE    KINDERGARTEN. 


no  mistake  and  plans  were  made  for  a  permanent  home  for  the  institu- 
tion. 

Meantime  the  numbers,  fifteen  at  first,  increased  beyond  the  limits  of 
his  parlors,  and  for  a  short  time,  pending  the  completion  of  the  new 
building,  the  sessions  were  held  in  lower  Cosmian  Hall.  In  December, 
1876,  the  building  was  ready  for  occupancy,  and  there  the  children  gath- 
ered about  their  first  kindergarten  Christmas  tree,  laden  with  the  simple 
gifts  which  they  had  prepared  for  their  friends. 

The  growth  of  the  .kindergarten  has  been  slow  but  steady.  There 
was  at  first  a  strong  prejudice  against  it,  in  the  minds  of  many,  because 
it  was  supposed  to  be  a  place  where  the  children  were  allowed  "  to  do 
as  they  pleased,"  but  this  prejudice  gradually  vanished  as  it  came  to  be 
recognized  that  they  did  as  they  pleased  because  they  pleased  to  do  right. 

The  building  erected   was  supposed  to  be  sufficient  for  all  possibility 


i58 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


of  growth,  but  not- 
withstanding some 
additions  have  been 
made,  it  is  now,  1894, 
fairly  outgrown,  one 
hundred  and  twenty 
children  having  been 
together  for  the  morn- 
ing exercises  on  many 
a  day  of  the  past  year, 
and  while  in  the  be- 
ginning two  kinder- 
gartners  were  suffi- 
cient,eight  or  nine  are 
now  employed. 

In  addition  to  the 
regular  kindergarten 
classes,  there  is  a  con- 
necting class,  for  ad- 
vanced kindergarten 
and  primary  work, 
where  the  children  are 
prepared  to  enter  the 
second  year  of  the 
public  school.  Ses- 
sions are  from  9  a.  m. 
to  12  M.  Visitors  are 
welcome  at  all  times. 
With  characteristic 
breadth  of  view  Mr. 
Hill  desired  that  the 
advantages  of  the  kin- 
dergarten should  be 
open  to  every  child  in 
Florence  ;  at  the  same 
time  lie  believed  that 
that  is  more  highly 
valued  for  which 
some  sacrifice  ismade, 
and  he  framed  his 
statement  of  terms  to 
meet    both    these    re- 


EDUC  \  HON  \i.    His  iok\ 


'59 


quirements  :  "Parents  and  guardians  whose  children  attend  shall  he 
required  to  pay  at  the  close  of  each  term,  such  sum  as  each  can  afford 
or  is  disposed  to  pay." 

Increasing  ill  health  made  it  expedient  for  Mr.  Hill  to  leave  home 
immediately  after  the  completion  of  the  building  ;  he  therefore  appointed 
a  board  of  trustees  to  aid  in  the  management  and  direction  of  the  kin- 
dergarten.    The  following  passage  occurs  in  his  letter  of  appointment  : — 

"The  object  of  the  institution  being,  as  you  are  aware,  to  promote  a  healthy 
physical,  intellectual,  and  moral  development  of  young  children,  *  *  *  there- 
fore, in  order  that  the  advantages  of  the  institution  may  be  acceptably  extended 
to  the  people  of  the  village  generally,  it  is  hereby  made  a  condition  of  its  direc- 
tion and  management  that  it  shall  be  conducted  unmixed  with  any  ecclesiastical 
or  theological  exercises." 

By  his  will,  he  gave  to  the  trustees  property  in  trust,  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  kindergarten  so  long  as  it  should  seem  to  them  expedient. 
In  1884,  by  special  act  of  the  Legislature,  the  trustees  were  made  a  cor- 
poration under  the  title,  "Trustees  of  the  Florence  Kindergarten." 

Although  so  greatly  interested  in  the  kindergarten,  Mr.  Hill  was 
never  a  visitor  there.  While  it  was  in  his  own  house,  he  sometimes 
looked  in  at  the  open  door,  but  the  sight  of  so  many  children  always 
touched  him,  and  he  lingered  but  a  moment.  He  was  never  happier, 
however,  than  in  listening  to  kindergarteners'  reports  of  the  proceedings, 
and  of  the  wise  or  quaint  remarks  of  the  youthful  recipients  of  his  fos- 
tering care. 

Upon  the  kindergarten  wall  hangs  a  fine  crayon  portrait  of  Mr.  Hill. 
On  a  certain  day  of  each  year,  the  children  bring  flowers  to  place  before 
the  portrait,  and  sing  songs  of  gratitude  in  memory  of  their  benefactor, 
whose  name  will  be  associated  in  their  hearts  with  that  of  another  friend 
and  benefactor  of  children,  Friedrich   Froebel. 


MANUAL   TRAINING. 

By  Rev.  Frederic  A.  Hinckley. 

Northampton  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  place  in  the 
country  to  adopt  on  a  systematic  basis  the  principle  of  manual  training 
in  its  public  schools  of  the  Primary  and  Grammar  grades.  For  some- 
what over  two  years  the  system  which  now  bears  the  name  of  our  city 
has  been  in  operation  here,  and  it  has  become  an  integral  part  of  our 
school  work.  It  was  first  adopted  experimentally  in  the  schools  of 
Florence,  and  the  enthusiasm  of  Florence  teachers  and  pupils  was  among 
the  earliest  factors  in  its  success.      It  had  long  been  the  desire  of  educa- 


i6o 


HISTORY    Oh'    FLORENCE. 


tors  that  something  should  be  done  to  bridge  over  the  chasm  between 
the  hand  work  of  the  kindergarten  and  the  shop  work  of  manual  train- 
ing schools  of  the  High  school  grade.  Our  system  does  just  that,  on  a 
basis  at  once  thorough,  economical,  and  entirely  American  in  its  spirit 
and  methods.  The  material  used  is  basswood  and  soft  pine,  the  tools 
are  pencil,  rule,  jackknife,  compasses,  small  hammer,  screw-driver,  gim- 
let, gauge,  and  try-square,  and 
the  work  is  all  done  in  the  school- 
room and  administered  by  the 
regular  teacher.  As  will  be  seen, 
the  jackknife  is  the  only  cutting 
tool,  and,  so  far  as  it  is  con- 
cerned, the  work  is  divided  into 
three  sections,  line  cutting,  sur- 
face cutting,  and  cutting  of  sol- 
ids. Fifty-one  blue  print  plates 
have  been  prepared  which  fur- 
nish working  drawings  of  the 
entire  course.  About  one  thou- 
sand six  hundred  children  are 
now  taking  the  course  in  two 
periods  each  week,  of  thirty 
minutes  each.  The  annual  cost 
to  the  city  is  about  six  hundred  dollars,  which  sum  is  spent  for  material 
and  tools.  All  the  work  is  dictated  by  the  teacher,  and  drawing  is  made 
a  fundamental  preliminary  to  cutting.  At  every  stage  the  element  of 
original  design  is  introduced  and  proves  a  most  valuable  and  attractive 
feature  to  children  of  all  ages. 

Among  the  many  advantages  of  this  kind  of  training  in  our  public 
schools  are  these  : — 

i.  It  furnishes  a  new  channel  of  expression,  appealing  with  special 
benefit  to  those  who  do  not  find  what  they  most  need  in  abstract  mental 
processes. 

2.  It  teaches  accuracy  of  the  mind  in  listening  to  the  dictation  ; 
accuracy  of  the  eye  in  observation  ;  accuracy  of  the  hand  in  execution. 

3.  Through  the  formation  of  habits  of  accuracy  in  these  ways,  it 
promotes  general  accuracy  of  thought  and  conduct. 

4.  It  offers  the  fullest  possible  realization  of  object  teaching  by 
associating  thoughts  and  things  ;  the  abstract  with  the  concrete. 

5.  It  appeals  to  the  average  child  and  commands  the  interest  of  the 
worker  without  the  temptation  of  rewards  of  merit  on  the  one  hand,  or 
the  push  of  compulsion  on  the  other. 


TEMPERANCE    HALL,    PINE    STREET. 


EDUCATIONAL    HISTORY 


161 


To  sum  it  all  up,  I  may  say  with  Mr.  George  W.  Cable,  after  he  had 
carefully  examined  our  last  public  exhibit  : — 

"  Manual  training-  can  be  made  in  our  public  schools  as  materially 
profitable  as  arithmetic  and  as  spiritually  refining  ;is  music." 


THE   FLORENCE  LYCEUM. 

By  Judge  Daniel  W.  Bono. 

No  history  of  Florence  would  be  complete  without  an  account  of  the 

Florence   Lyceum.      It   was    not  uncommon    at   this    period,  during  the 

winter   months,   for   nearly  every  school   district    to    have    its    debating 


LILLY    LIBRARY. 


society.  Everybody  attended,  and  the  old  men  and  young  took  part  in 
the  exercises.  Some  districts  were  more  favored  than  others  with  resi- 
dent debaters,  but  ever}''  district  contained  some  who  had  ideas  upon  the 
various  questions  discussed  and  were  sufficiently  interested  to  prepare 
themselves  for  the  debates,  and  who  could  express  their  thoughts  with 
force  and  oftentimes  with  elegance.  After  the  debate  by  the  debaters 
who  had  selected,  or  been  appointed  upon,  the  affirmative  or  negative  of 
a  question,  an  opportunity  was  given  for  "  volunteers."  The  time  from 
seven  to  ten  and  sometimes  till  eleven  o'clock  was  occupied.     For  days 


162  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

after  the  meetings  they  were  the  topic  of  conversation  throughout  the 
district, — the  weight  of  the  argument,  the  methods  and  manners  of  the 
speakers,  the  merits  of  the  question,  all  came  in  for  a  share  of  attention 
and  were  talked  over.  No  old  time  singing  school  could  "  hold  a  candle  " 
to  the  village  lyceum,  for  the  general  interest  the  meetings  created. 

Florence  was  one  of  the  localities  that  were  fortunate  in  having  a 
number  of  men  who  could  take  their  part  in  a  lyceum  debate  during  the 
palmy  days  of  its  lyceum.  Generally  a  declamation  was  given  by  some 
young  man  ;  frequently  a  young  lady  read  a  selection  from  a  standard 
author  ;  a  paper  was  prepared,  made  up  of  articles  written  by  people, 
young  and  old,  which  its  editor  read  at  the  meeting.  After  the  paper 
was  read,  the  debate  took  place,  and  usually  the  exercises  were  enlivened 
with  some  excellent  singing  by  the  Glee  Club. 

The  meetings  were  held  in  the  South  schoolhouse,  which  was 
"packed," — every  seat  was  occupied,  and  all  available  standing  room  in 
the  building,  including  the  entries,  was  crowded.  The  fact  that  the 
people  gathered  to  such  an  extent  one  evening  in  each  week  during  the 
winter  shows  the  great  interest  taken  in  the  meetings. 

The  Florence  Lyceum  differed  from  others  at  this  time  in  one  respect. 
From  the  days  of  "  the  Community"  established  there,  the  village  con- 
tained men  who  held  various  opinions  upon  social  and  religious  subjects. 
In  the  Florence  Lyceum,  to  avoid  injuring  the  feelings  of  anyone,  no 
religious  questions  were  discussed,  and  it  was  an  unwritten  law  that 
nothing  should  be  said  in  debate  which  could  wound  the  feelings  of  the 
orthodox  people  upon  religious  subjects,  and  this  law  was  rarely  violated. 

The  men  who  took  part  in  the  debates  in  the  Florence  Lyceum  were 
all  engaged  in  business,  and  their  time  and  strength  must  have  been 
greatly  exhausted  in  their  special  callings.  None  of  them  were  "  pro- 
fessional "  men  ;  at  that  time  there  was  no  doctor,  lawyer,  or  clergyman 
living  in  the  village. 

Joseph  B.  Whitehouse  was  prominent  among  the  men  who  could 
always  be  depended  upon  to  take  part  in  the  debates.  He  was  a  very 
pleasant  speaker,  his  manner  was  deliberate,  his  sentences  were  well 
formed,  and  his  remarks  were  always  interesting. 

Deacon  Julius  Phelps  was  among  the  older  men  who  took  part  in  the 
debates.  He  was  not  what  would  be  termed  a  brilliant  debater,  but  he 
clothed  his  thoughts  in  well  chosen  words,  expressed  himself  clearly, 
logically,  and  without  any  attempt  at  display.  Whenever  he  took  part 
he  said  something;  his  remarks  did  not  consist  in  mere  words. 

D.  G.  Littlefield  then  lived  in  the  village,  and  was  another  of  the  older 
men  who  took  part  in  the  meetings,  although  not  as  generally  as  some 
others.     He  was  a  man  with  clear,  well   defined  ideas  ;  his  suggestions 


KIH'CATION  \l       HISTORY. 


163 


were  always  practical  and  to  the  point  ;  his  manner  was  unusually  good  ; 
tall,  erect,  and  dignified  in  his  bearing,  earnest  in  his  manner,  with  a  good 
voice,  his  remarks  always  received  attention. 

Morris  Machol  was  probably  the  best  educated  member  of  the  lyceum. 
His  German  accent  and  imperfect  English  made  it  more  difficult  to 
follow  him,  but 
he  was  a  good  de- 
bater, and  always 
received  close 
a  1 1  e  n  tion.  He 
made  no  attempt 
at  rhetoric  or 
eloquence,  h  i  s 
whole  aim 
seemed  to  be  to 
present  a  r g  u  - 
ments,  and  this 
he  did  with  great 
force,  clearness, 
and  apparent 
ease. 

Leavitt  Beals 
probably  en  joyed 

the  debates  more  than  any  other  member.  He  had  considerable  of 
what  would  be  called  natural  eloquence  ;  he  seemed  much  interested  in 
the  questions  debated,  and  apparently  took  great  pains  to  prepare  him- 
self for  his  part  ;  he  would  probably  be  called  the  most  eloquent  debater 
in  the  lyceum. 

James  Flood  was  always  prepared  to  debate,  give  a  declamation,  or 
take  part  in  the  presentation  of  a  play — comedy  or  tragedy.  He  was 
Hamlet  in  the  ghost  scene,  and  his  rendering  of  the  declaration  : 
"Whither  wilt  thou  lead  me  ?  Speak  !  I'll  go  no  further,"  was  enough 
to  bring  any  ordinary  ghost  to  a  standstill,  and  to  be  long  remembered 
by  the  audience.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  eloquence  and  oratorical  dis- 
play, and  seemed  to  cultivate  this  tendency  ;  nothing  apparently  suited 
him  better  than  to  express  some  bit  of  history  in  a  style  which  would 
have  done  credit  to  a  Fourth  of  July  orator  of  "  ye  olden  time." 

E.  Y.  Foster  was  another  member  of  the  lyceum.  While  he  did  not 
take  so  prominent  a  part  in  the  debates  as  others,  he  was  one  of  the 
leaders  in  the  dramatic  exercises.  His  "  Claude,"  in  the  "  Lady  of 
Lyons,"  will  be  remembered  by  all  who  ever  heard  it.  The  cheap  print 
of  the  fair  "  Pauline,"  which  he  exhibited,  while  it  did  not  do  him  much 


INTERIOR    LILLY    I.IliRARY. 


164 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


credit  as  an  artist,  gave  him  an  opportunity  to  "  play  his  part."  His 
ghost  to  Flood's  Hamlet  sent  the  cold  chills  over  at  least  the  younger 
portion  of  the  audience. 

A.  T.  Lilly  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  lyceum.  He  was  a  fre- 
quent contributor  to  the  paper.  Few  men  could  express  themselves  so 
clearly,  logically,  and  forcibly  upon  their  feet,  in  the  presence  of  an 
audience,  as  he  could,  and  when  in  earnest  he  exhibited  much  natural 
eloquence. 

William  Bonney  was  one  of  the  younger  members.  He  was  consid- 
ered a  talented  young  man,  and  displayed  much  ability  as  a  public 
speaker. 

Edward   Birge  was  another  of  the  younger  members,  who  frequently 


FROM    COSMIAN    TOWER — SOUTHEAST. 


wrote  for  the  paper,  was  its  editor  a  part  of  the  time,  and  frequently 
took  part  in  the  debates.  He  was  also  the  leader  of  the  Glee  Club.  He 
was  regarded  as  a  strong,  capable  man.  While  he  made  no  attempt  at 
display,  he  possessed  good  sense,  was  well  informed,  and  had  consider- 
able literary  ability. 

There  were  others  who  took  part  in  the  debates,  but  who  were  less 
prominent  than  those  named.  The  Florence  of  that  period  was  not  the 
Florence  of  to-day.  Considering  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  vil- 
lage, and  the  opportunities  for  mental  culture,  the  character  of  the 
Florence  Lyceum  compared  favorably  with  that  of  any  other  place,  and 
undoubtedly  was  instrumental  in  fostering  the  spirit  of  inquiry  and  love 
of  literature  which  exist  in  the  village  at  the  present  time. 


HISTORIC  REMINISCENCES. 


FLORENCE. 

By  Mks.  IIflen  T.  Clark,  Northumberland,  Penn. 

The  hunted  slave  whose  dusky,  trembling  form 

Sank  at  your  sheltering  doors  for  one  brief  night, 
Xe'er  touched  a  fairer  foothold  in  his  flight 

To  lands  where  Freedom  dwelt  with  northern  storm. 

Helpers  of  man  !     The  child  of  poverty 

May  rise,  despair  may  hope,  the  dull  may  learn, 
The  wavering  torch  of  genius  brighter  burn, 

Where  thought  magnetic  flows  in  impulse  free. 

Seekers  for  truth  !  who  deem  that  every  soul 

Should  have  its  perfect  meed  of  growth  and  light — 
Not  statelier  than  your  Temple  reared  for  Right 

Rose  classic  fane  where  waves  vEgean  roll  ! 

Dear,  honored  dead,*  who  wrought  for  brotherhood, 
In  golden  deeds,  in  words  of  deathless  power. 
Not  vainly  did  ye  live  your  "  crowded  hour," 

And  pour  your  souls  out  for  the  wide  world's  good  ! 

Bright  homes  of  thrift  !  strong  hearts  and  kindling  eyes 
Wherein  the  spirit  of  the  Future  thrills — 
Encircled  by  your  blue,  eternal  hills, 

Draw  strength  and  life  from  blue,  eternal  skies  ! 


THE  "UNDERGROUND  RAILWAY." 
By  Joseph  Marsh. 
A  COMPLETE  history  of  the  underground  railway  in  Florence  will 
never  be  known.  Those  who  ran  it  upon  the  principles  of  the  brother- 
hood of  man  did  so  at  their  peril.  It  is  not  strange  that  some,  moving 
within  and  being  a  part  of  the  influence  and  inspiration  of  the  com- 
munistic spirit  of   Florence,  should  abhor  slavery.     Most  of  them  had 


S.  L.  Hill,  A.  T.  Lilly,  Charles  C.  Burleigh,  Mary  W.  Bond  and  others. 


l66  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

thrown  off    the    bondage    of    superstition,    and  had    peculiar  sympathy 
with  those  who  were  trying  to  free  themselves. 

One  of  the  stations  on  the  underground  railroad  was  kept  by  Samuel 
L.  Hill.  Be  sure  if  anything  of  this  kind  was  going  on  he  would  have  a 
hand  in  it.     The  account  of  it  is  best  related  by  his  son  in  his  own  words. 

Florence,  Mass.,  January  31,  1893. 
Dear  Mr.  Marsh, — 

Although  I  saw  a  good  many  passengers  who  were  on  the  underground  rail- 
way, bound  north,  I  remember  few  of  the  incidents  that  occurred.  A  good 
many  passengers  stopped  "  five  minutes  for  refreshments  "  at  my  father's,  and 
conductors  were  often  changed  here.  On  a  few  trips  I  was  either  conductor  or 
assistant  conductor.  Quite  a  number  of  the  through  passengers  temporarily  took 
iip  their  abode  in  Florence,  the  balmy  anti-slavery  climate  here  proving  very 
attractive  to  them.  After  the  forced  return  of  Anthony  Burns  from  Boston  to 
the  Southern  tyrants,  the  sojourners  here  became  alarmed  and  pushed  on  to  their 
original  destination,  Canada.  Father_Hensoii,  one  of  the  originals  that  furnished 
particulars  for  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe's  "  Uncle  Tom,"  came  by  this  line  on  one 
of  his  trips  to  Canada.  I  think  that  it  was  not  his  first  trip,  but  that  he  had 
been  south  again  after  some  of  his  friends. 

William  Wilson  was  landed  here,  remained  a  few  months,  worked  and  earned 
some  money,  returned  south  secretly,  was  gone  quite  a  while,  but  finally  reached 
here  again  with  a  grown-up  son,  that  he  had  been  able  to  guide  from  slavery  to 
freedom.  The  two  men  hired  a  small  tenement,  were  industrious,  and  worked 
for  anjobject.  After  they  had  saved  money  enough  they  went  south  to  rescue 
their  daughter  and  sister.  After  a  long  absence  the  younger  man  returned,  the 
older  one  having  been  captured  and  returned  to  slavery.  The  younger  was  con- 
fident that  his  father  would  again  escape  and  decided  to  wait  for  him  here.  Sure 
enough,  ina  little  while  the  old  gentleman  and  daughter  came,  and  after  a  short 
stay  to  rest  and  get  a  little  money  the  whole  party  moved  north  to  the  queen's 
dominions. 

Many  of  the  refugees,  who  were  intelligent  enough,  became  the  talking  centers 
for  our  neighbors  and  sympathizers  to  gather  around.  I  heard  many  a  thrilling 
story  of  brutality,  suffering,  and  exciting  adventures  in  the  "  leap  for  freedom." 
Father's  most  frequent  trip  as  conductor  ran  to  the  Kingman's  in  Cummington, 
but  occasionally  our  living  freight  was  delivered  at  a  Mr.  Crafts'  house  in 
Whately. 

Sincerely  yours, 

Arthur  G.  Hill. 

David  Ruggles,  a  colored  man  who  had  edited  a  paper  in  New  York 
city  called  The  Mirror,  kept  another  station.  On  account  of  his  activ- 
ity there  in  conducting  the  underground  railroad,  he  was  roughly  han- 
dled, but  was  protected  by  the  Tappans,  Broken  down  in  health,  and 
suffering  a  partial  loss  of  eyesight,  he  came  to  Florence,  and,  by  a  skillful 
home  treatment  upon  hydropathic  principles,  he  regained   his  health  in 


1 1 1 STO  R I C    K  EM  I N  [SC  KNC  ES. 


167 


good  measure,  but  not  his  eyesight.  Rumor  has  made  him  the  success- 
ful conductor  of  many  fugitives  to  a  land  of  freedom.  On  one  occasion, 
Mr.  Seth  Hunt  and  David  Ruggles  induced  Sheriff  Ansel  Wright,  Si., 
to  bring  a  slaveholder  and  a  slave  girl,  whom  he  had  brought  into 
Northampton,  before  Judge  Charles  A.  Dewey.  The  judge  gave  the 
woman  to  understand  that  having  been  brought  by  her  master  into  a 
free  state,  she  was  at  liberty  to  leave  him  if  she  chose.  Through  fear  of 
her  master,  she  declined  to  leave  him.  The  sheriff  incurred,  in  conse- 
quence, quite  offensive  threats  from  the  slaveholder. 

Another  station  was  kept  by  Mr.  Austin  Ross,  who  harbored  a  young 
man  about  a  year 
and  a  half  in  one  of 
his  chambers,  em- 
ployment being  fur- 
nished him  as  a  night 
watchman  at  Green- 
ville cotton  mill.  His 
name  was  Wilson3 
and  he  must  have 
been  the  same  man 
whom  Mr.  Hill  de- 
scribes. Mr.  Calvin 
Fairbanks,  who  for 
several    years  was  a 

citizen  of  Florence,  was  one  of  the  heroes  of  this  underground  railroad, 
although  the  scene  of  his  exploits  was  not  in  this  region.  He  was  the 
means  of  securing  freedom  to  forty-seven  slaves. 

Among  the  active  workers  on  this  railroad  was  Mr.  A.  P.  Critchlow. 
He  acted  in  concert  with  Mr.  Hill,  Mr.  Hammond,  and  others,  and  fre- 
quently gave  the  fugitives  employment  in  his  daguerreotype  case  fac- 
tory. Here  he  did  what  he  could  to  shield  them  and  prevent  recapture, 
and  one  case  may  not  be  amiss  to  record.  A  slave  named  French 
made  good  his  escape,  and  sought  rest  in  Florence.  His  master,  or 
master's  half  brother,  a  Mr.  King,  came  to  the  water  cure  while  in 
pursuit  of  the  runaway.  Mr.  Critchlow  stayed  with  French  a  few 
nights  at  the  mill  until  King,  being  unable  to  find  any  trace  of  the 
slave,  left  Florence  to  seek  him  elsewhere. 

The  details  of  the  assistance  rendered  by  Florence  citizens  to  that 
unfortunate  race  in  their  flight  for  freedom  will  never  be  recorded, 
but  enough  is  given  here  to  show  that  Florence  was  not  behind  in  this 
good  work. 


RESIDENCE    OK    REV.    E.    G.    GOBI: 


1 68 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


THE    FLORENCE    DRAMATIC    CLUB. 

By  Arthur  G.  Hill. 

Among  the  many  institutions  of  Florence  worthy  of  notice  is  the 
Dramatic  Club,  an  organization  dating  back  many  years,  and  showing  a 
record  that  few  amateur  theatrical  associations  can  rival.  While  the 
tragedies  of  Shakespeare  have  not  been  essayed,  and  the  terpsichorean 
and  nude  drama  have  been  across  the  other  border,  the  range  over  which 
the  talent  of  this  club  has  successfully  roamed  for  over  a  quarter  of  a 
century  has  been  so  extensive  that  the  individual  members  of  the  club 
have  nearly  as  great  a  reputation,  locally,  as  the  leading  actors  who  have 
amused  and  startled  the  continent  during  the  same  period  of  time. 

During  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  enacted  in  the  years  1861-1865,  a  ^ve> 
wide-awake  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  was  maintained  here  by  the  loyal,  gen- 
erous hearted  women  of  the  village,  which  received  and  forwarded  the 
many  contributions  of  clothing,  delicacies,  comforts,  and  money  to  the 
valiant  men  at  the  battle  front. 

Many  entertainments  were  presented  in  private  houses,  small  halls, 
the  little  old  South  schoolhouse,  and,  upon  its  completion,  in  the  Florence 
Hall,  which  existed  for  a  time  in  the  so-called  high  school  building  here. 
The  money  received  by  the  young  people  for  these  exhibitions  was  used 
to  good  effect  by  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  in  the  performance  of  its 
mission. 

Bare  walls  were  the  only  scenic  effects  of  the  first  dramas,  and  the 

costumes  were  very 
crude.  The  first  beard 
was  made  from  a  por- 
tion of  an  old  buffalo 
robe,  or  formed  by  a 
smudge  of  the  easily 
obtained  burnt  bottle 
cork.  The  first  wig, 
though  not  the  hol- 
lowed out  half  of  a 
w  a  te  r  melon,  was 
nearly  as  startling, 
being  silk  waste  sewed 
on  cotton  cloth,  and  dipped  into  a  dye  vat,  which,  upon  that  occasion, 
held  magenta  colored  dye.  A  dirty  lipped  youth  then  passed  for  a 
Romeo,  and  a  magenta  pated  comedian  was  the  omnipresent  Irishman 
with  his  carefully  planned  and  clumsily  executed  blunders. 


SOUTH    MAIN    STREET. 


H  IS  I'ORIC    R  KM  I  N  ISCENCliS. 


169 


•?- 


THE  NOTCH — CHESTNUT    STREET    WOODS. 


A.  T.  Lilly,  E.  C.  Gardner,  and  Mrs.  F.  P.  Judd,  each  wrote  little 
plays  which  were  early  placed  on  the  boards.  The  first  real  theater 
plays  brought  out  were  the  two  farces  "  Box  and  Cox,"  and  "  The  Two 
Buzzards."  James  J.  Kennedy,  George  T.  Cutler,  and  Arthur  G.  Hill 
were  the  actors  in  the  first  one,  and  the  same  youths,  with  Miss  Kate  B. 
Judd  and  Miss  Carrie  Tayntor,  appeared  in  "The  Two  Buzzards." 

Soon  after,  the  Florence  Dramatic  Club,  with  regular  board  of 
officers,  stage  manager,  consti- 
tution, and  by-laws,  was  regu- 
larly launched  to  prey  upon  a 
guileless  public.  To  prevent 
dissensions  so  likely  to  occur 
in  large  membership,  the  club 
was  limited  to  ten  gentlemen  as 
members,  with  such  ladies  as 
should  accept  invitations  to 
assume  characters  in  the  dra- 
mas. Any  lady  having  once 
acted  with  the  club  was  thence- 
forth a  member  as  long  as  she 
chose  to  be  so  considered. 

C.  C.  Burleigh,  Jr.,  one  of  the  members,  became  noted  as  a  painter, 
and  died  abroad  while  perfecting  himself  in  the  art.  The  beautiful 
scenery  of  the  club,  and  the  fine  frescoing  of  Cosmian  Hall  were  the 
work  of  his  brush.  Eugene  W.  Presby,  a  member,  has  been  for  years  a 
stage  manager  of  the  Madison  Square  Theater  of  New  York.  W.  L. 
Wilcox  has  never  appeared  on  the  stage,  but  his  faithful  work  in  many 
other  directions  has  made  him  a  valuable  member. 

In  nearly  every  drama,  it  became  necessary,  to  fill  all  the  characters, 
to  have  minor  parts  filled  by  others  not  members  of  the  club.  These, 
however,  were  not  considered  as  members,  and  had  no  voice  in  the  man- 
agement. Occasionally,  as  a  vacancy  occurred  in  the  list,  one  of  these 
assistant  actors  who  showed  talent  would  be  promoted  to  membership. 
In  no  case  did  an  actor  receive  a  cent  for  his  services,  but  all  cash  receipts 
were  devoted  to  charitable  objects,  or  for  better  scenery,  or  outfit  for  the 
club.  Only  the  legitimate  drama  received  the  attention  of  the  club,  and 
this  was  put  upon  the  stage  with  all  the  care  and  attention  to  minor 
details  that  the  experience  of  the  manager  and  his  assistants  could  sug- 
gest. The  scenic  effects  were  constantly  improved  upon  as  the  club 
grew  in  experience,  and  many  a  scene  received  a  round  of  applause  from 
an  appreciative  audience  for  the  evident  care  of  its  preparation. 

The  two  entertainments,  "  The  Two    Buzzards  "  and  "  Eileen  Oge," 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


F.    D.    C. 

cosira  mi 

FLORENCE, 

WEDNESDAY£THURSDAY  EYENINCS. 

Jan.  20th  &  21st,  1875. 

Slieridan's  Comedy, 


of  this  club  mark  the  two  extremes  of  bare  walls  in  the  first  to  the  exqui- 
site landscapes  with  waterfalls  and  fountains  of  real  water  in  the  latter, 
as  great  a  contrast  as  the  barnstorming  plays  of  old  England  and  the 
"  pump  and  real  water  "  of  "  Vincent  Crummies." 

The  initials,  F.  D.  C,  at  the  top  of  the  posters  was  an  assurance  of  a 
good  entertainment,  and  an  election  to  the  corps  of  actors  was  always 

considered  an  honor,  and  one  never  de- 
clined in  a  single  instance.  The  following 
were  prominent  actors,  appearing  fre- 
quently in  the  dramas  :  George  T.  Cutler, 
George  A.  Jencks,  Joseph  C.  Martin, 
Henry  H.  Bond,  Maria  L.  Bond,  William 
L.  Norton,  Fred  C.  Shearn,  Arthur  G. 
Hill,  Walter  S.  Jencks,  Sarah  E.  Jencks, 
Emma  Jencks,  Kate  B.  Judd,  Kate  E.  Hill, 
Julia  A.  Bartlett,  Carrie  Haggert,  Dwight 
A.  Ross,  O.  M.  Smith,    Nannie  M.  Worth, 

DJosie  Ridlon,  and   Lucy  D.  Cleveland. 
The  following  among  others   also  ap- 
I''PvWll  peared   with    credit    at    various     times  : 

James  J.  Kennedy,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  R. 
Kennedy,  Lemoyne  and  Cecil  Burleigh, 
Carrie  Tayntor,  Emily  K.  Hill,  Ella  How- 
ard, Mary  L.  Fuller,  Lucy  B.  Hunt,  Mary 
W.  Hunt,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Patt, 
Edward  S.  Bottum,  John  B.  Bottum,  Miss 
Kyle,  Carrie  Clark,  Eugene  W.  Presby, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  W.  Henry,  E.  A.  Ells- 
worth, John  Eager,  Fred  C.  Eager,  Archi- 
bald Hugh  (an  old  Scotch  actor),  John 
Brown,  E.  H.  Martin,  Mrs.  Sanford,  Mary 
V.  Ross,  Charles  Huxley,  Annie  W.  Hill, 
Effie  Atkins,  Olive  Bodman,  and  Mary  E. 
Sheffeld. 

The  most  noted  production  of  the 
club  was  probably  "  The  School  for  Scan- 
dal," with  the  beautiful  Boston  Museum 
costumes  adorning  the  actors.  In  this 
play,  the  talented  Henry  H.  Bond  and  sister  appeared  as  "Sir  Peter" 
and  "  Lady  Teazle";  E.  H.  Martin  and  George  T.  Cutler  enacted  the 
characters  of  "Charles"  and  "Joseph  Surface,"  and  Mrs.  Kate  E.  Hill 
well  portrayed  the  gossipy  "Mrs.  Candor." 


Act. 

1st, 
5th 

-    Lady 

Picture  Gallery 
Joseph 

Sneerweli's 
Sir  Peter's 
at  Chas.  1 
Surface's 
Sir  Peter's 

Parlor. 

Parlor. 
Surface. 
Library. 

Parlor. 

I'll 

l  ■ 

^f  the™ 
ton    Musi 

-  used  ;ii 

,!aj    .ii   ill 

the  r.  ■ 

Tickets.  i 
Doors  op 

with  F 

!:_="> 

red  Seats.     -     -     3! 
Entertainment  commences 

i  Cents. 

at  1 1-2. 

at  7  ■ 

I'dotk, 

F.     D.    C.    HANDBILL. 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCE.s.  I  7  I 

Other  well  executed  presentations  of  the  club  were  :  "  She  Stoops  to 
Conquer,"  "The  Golden  Farmer,"  "The  Country  Squire,"  "The  Drum- 
mer Boy  "  (with  the  Northampton  Grand  Army  Post),  "  Eileen  Oge," 
"  The  Golden  Fetter,"  "  Rose  of  Ettrickvale,"  "  Peep  O'  Day  Boys," 
"  The  Ticket  of  Leave  Man,"  "Caste,"  "Heir  at  Law,"  and  "  School." 
Many  other  dramas  have  been  produced  by  the  club,  but  the  above  were 
especially  fine  entertainments. 

Pleasant  interchanges  have  from  time  to  time  been  made  with  the 
POR  S  T  Club  of  Northampton,  the  Easthampton  Dramatic  Club, 
and  the  Casino  Dramatic  Club  of  Brightwood. 

When  Cosmian  Hall  was  built,  the  construction  of  the  stage  and  its 
equipment  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  members  of  this  club,  who  visited 
several  theaters  and  adopted  what  they  considered  the  best  arrangements 
then  in  use.  The  Grand  Arm}'  and  other  local  organizations  have  fre- 
quently drawn  upon  the  Florence  Dramatic  Club  for  talent  in  the  various 
entertainments,  and  much  of  the  success  upon  those  occasions  was  due 
to  the  borrowed  talent.  The  club  still  has  an  existence,  and  still  hopes 
again  to  send  forth  its  F.  D.  C.  posters,  its  heralds,  summoning  its  many 
friends  to  the  gatherings  where  the  "  mimic  world  "  is  portrayed  by 
amateurs  who  faithfully  study  to  please  and  instruct. 


THE  SEWING  MACHINE  BAND. 

By  Edward  Birge. 

"  Sometimes  as  one  who  almost  grieves, 
His  memory  would  recall 
The  merrymaking  Christmas  eves, 

The  frolic,  and  the  ball ; 
Till  his  hands  would  shake  like  withered  leaves, 
And  his  pipe  go  out  and  fall." 

— Alice  Carv. 

The  "  Florence  Serenaders  "  served  the  music  lovers  of  the  village 
many  years.  The  dear  old  friends  who  "  tripped  the  light  fantastic  "  at 
their  playing,  or  listened  to  their  voices  or  violins  in  the  calm  moonlight, 
lovingly  recall  Sylvester  Bosworth,  Charles  Strong,  Nathan  Vance, 
Edson  S.  Ross,  Henry  Bottum,  Elisha  Jenney,  George  Graves,  and  Otis 
Moody. 

At  the  revival  of  trade  and  business  after  the  great  financial  panic  of 
1857.  a  young  man  came  to  Florencefrom  the  old  homestead  in  Hatfield. 
He  was  immediately  surrounded  by  a  prominent  "  Serenader,"  who  told 
him  that  Godfrey's  boarding  house  was  once  more  established  on  a  firm 


172 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


basis,  that  the  "  winders  "  and  "  doublers  "  in  the  Nonotuck  mill  were 
rapidly  increasing,  that  something  must  be  done,  and  now,  under  the 
circumstances,  what  would  he  take?  The  boy  replied,  "I'll  take  one  of 
them,  a  winder,  or  a  doubler,  I  don't  care  which."  The  "  Serenader  " 
had  to  "  tack,"  and  naming  over  the  violin,  piccolo,  flute,  bass  viol, 
cornet,  and  triangle,  asked  him  which  instrument  he  would  play.  The 
young  man  chose  the  triangle.  Limits  forbid  more  than  the  affirmation 
that  a  corpulent  alderman  of  Northampton  to-day*  owes  his  still  rising 

prosperity  and  popularity  to 
that  triangle,  and  to  that 
boarding  house. 

The  FlorenceCornet  Band, 
which  was  organized  in  the 
summer  of  1858,  under  the 
instruction  and  leadership  of 
Mr.  David  Shields,  was  com- 
posed of  the  following  mem- 
bers :  Mr.  Shields,  leader, 
Edward  Birge,  Andrew  Fran- 
zen,  Thomas  Bailey,  Jerome 
Mead,  John  Franzen,  Edwin 
Martin,  and  Oscar  Eldredge. 
The  members,  in  the  order  above  named,  played  respectively,  1st  E}> 
cornet,  2d  E't  cornet,  Bi  alto,  E'i  tenor,  Bi  tenor,  Ei  bass,  snare  drum,  and 
bass  drum  and  cymbals.  Mr.  Eldredge  was  treasurer  of  the  band.  Each 
member  furnished  his  own  instrument,  and  shared  the  other  band  ex- 
penses equally.  Mr.  Shields'  services  as  instructor  were  without  com- 
pensation. The  band  room  was  furnished  by  the  brothers,  Israel  and 
Orson  Graves,  at  a  very  moderate  charge. 

Two  "  Bugle  blasts  for  Liberty  "  were  notable  engagements  for  the 
new  band  the  first  year  ;  the  one,  at  an  anti-slavery  convention  in  Cum- 
mington,  early  in  the  winter,  and  the  other,  the  celebration  in  Florence, 
of  the  anniversary  of  the  West  India  emancipation  on  the  first  of  August 
following.  Both  of  these  events  were  successfully  carried  through  by  the 
co-operation  of  the  Free  Religious  societies  in  Florence  and  Cummington, 
represented  officially  by  Rev.  Charles  C.  Burleigh,  and  Deacons  Hill, 
Hunt,  Kingman,  and  Abells  (giants  of  the  earth  in  those  days). 

At  five  o'clock  on  a  frosty  morning  of  a  Sunday  in  November,  1858, 
the  Florence  Cornet  Band  and  Glee  Club  were  snugly  stowed  away  in  a 
band  wagon  rattling  over  the  hills  to  Cummington,  twenty  miles  away, 


SEWING    MACHINE    WORKS,  FROM    THE    WEST,    1875. 


*This  article  was  written  in  1892. — [Editor. 


HIS  fORIC    RKMINISCENCES. 


173 


with  Joel  Abercrombie,  a  rare  whip,  holding  the  ribbons  over  four  pranc- 
ing steeds.  Deacon  Hill  had  mildly  said  to  Dave  that  the  band  should 
play  one  or  two  patriotic  marches  before  leaving  our  village.  Dear, 
deluded  deacon  !  Dave  would  have  done  that  anyway.  But  in  conse- 
quence of  the  mild  suggestion,  the  man  in  the  moon  heard  the  serenade, 
and  the  little,  drowsy  hamlet  on  the  earth  was  aroused  and  terrified.  A 
better  acquaintance  with  Dave  taught  the  deacon  the  superfluity  of  any 
mild  hints.  He  never  urged  the  band  again,  although  he  more  than  once 
checked  it,  generously. 

The  first  of  August  celebration  followed  close  upon  that  terrible 
calamity,  the  "boiler  explosion."  Our  bass  player,  John  Franzen,  being 
one  of  the  three  vic- 
tims, his  place  in  the 
band  was  filled  tem- 
porarily by  George 
Stoddard  of  North- 
ampton. 

In  May,  1S60,  the 
generosity  of  Flor- 
ence business  men 
enabled  the  band  to 
purchase  new  instru- 
ments and  increase 
its  membership.  The 
Nichols  brothers,  Josiah,  Edward,  and  Henry,  Edwin  Smith,  George  R. 
Stetson,  Henry  Fechter,  Messrs.  Dodge  and  Judd,  Ira  Todd,  and  Dwight 
A.  Ross  were  the  new  members.  The  Nichols  brothers  as  comedians 
would  "  bring  down  the  house  "  every  time.  Any  one  of  the  brothers 
would  "  rhyme  you  rhymes"  by  the  hour,  and  Edward  was  a  ventrilo- 
quist of  no  mean  ability.  Memory  recalls  the  dedication,  with  music, 
mirth,  and  dancing,  of  a  new  room  in  the  sewing  machine  works,  when 
one  stanza  out  of  a  multitude  of  local  hits  which  rhymed  together  to  the 
tune  of  "Axes  to  grind,"  was  sung  by  Henry  as  follows  : — 


IRMERLY   THE    WILLISTON    HOT 


"And  there  are  four  Eds  who  made  a  great  splurge, 
Ed  Martin,  Ed  Nichols,  Ed  Smith,  and  Ed  Birge, 

'T would  please  you  to  see  them,  marching  the  fields, 
And  trying  to  play  music  composed  by  Dave  Shields. 

Ri  tu  di  nu,"  etc. 


This  referred   to  our  marching  practice  in    Mrs.   Bosworth's    pasture,  a 
practice  to  which  Dave  very  properly  subjected  the  boys. 

The  presidential  campaign  of  that  year  gave  the  band,  thus  enlarged, 


174 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


frequent  and  profitable  engagements,  extended  its  reputation  and  popu- 
larity, and  created  in  each  member  a  desire  to  improve  his  musical 
ability.  With  this  end  in  view  the  band  engaged  Mr.  Solomon  Merrill, 
who  gave  us  a  few  lessons  in  the  autumn  of  i860,  the  only  instruction 
under  a  professional  bandmaster  we  ever  received.  About  this  time  our 
name  was  changed  to  "The  Florence  Sewing  Machine  Band." 

When  the  war  cry  of  186 1  rent  the  hills  and  valleys  of  our  land,  vil- 
lage bands,   as  a  rule,  were  broken  up.     Our  band   was   no  exception. 

The  members  who  en- 
listed in  the  armies  are 
recorded  elsewhere  in  this 
history.  Not  again  until 
1865  was  the  band  suffi- 
ciently strong  for  duty  in 
military  parades.  North- 
ampton celebrated  Inde- 
pendence Day  of  that 
year  by  a  grand  welcome 
home  to  her  "  boys  in 
blue."  The  late  Col.  Jus- 
tin Thayer  was  marshal 
of  the  day,  and  Hon. 
Lewis  J.  Dudley  was  the 
orator.  The  feast  for 
soldiers  and  citizens  was 
spread  in  the  grove  on 
Round  Hill.  Our  band  was  on  duty  that  day,  the  writer  having  the 
honor  of  being  its  leader. 

The  changed  conditions  of  trade  and  manufactures,  and  the  frequent 
coming  and  going  of  mechanics  and  musicians  in  consequence  of  the 
late  war,  made  our  success  as  a  band  quite  variable  until  1868,  when  our 
leader,  Mr.  Shields,  after  an  absence  of  several  years,  was  again  in  the 
sewing  machine  works,  instructing  a  band  class  of  about  twenty  young 
men.  This  class  was  the  nucleus,  under  Mr.  Shields'  enterprise  and 
remarkable  executive  ability,  of  a  superb  musical  organization,  complete 
in  all  appointments,  named  the  "  Florence  Sewing  Machine  Military 
Band  and  Orchestra."  It  was  from  the  start  received  here  that  our  old 
friend  Richard  W.  Irwin  developed  a  remarkable  power  for  rapid, 
rattling,  clean  cornet  execution,  and  our  friend  A.  Frank  Hutchins 
graduated,  and  later  became  bandmaster  of  the  Twenty-sixth  New  York 
Battalion,    a  position  he  retained  for  eight  years. 

The    following   "personnel"   undoubtedly    incorrect,  made   at  this  dis- 


WILLIAM    P.    LATHAM  S    RESIDENCE 


HISTORIC    KE.MINISCKNCES. 


1 75 


tance   with   unaided  memory,   represents  our   band    in  the  height  of  its 

power  : — 

NOTE. — Where  t he  name  of  more  than  one  instrument  follows  the  member's  name,  the 
first  instrument  refers  to  the  orchestra,  and  the  second  to  tiie  band.  For  example,  II.  Harry 
Havnor  was  leader  of  the  orchestra,  and  played  Ki  alto  in  the  band,  and  David  Shields  was 
solo  cornet  in  the  orchestra,  and  leader  of  the  band. — [EDITOR. 

H.  Harry  Haynor,  leader,  E^  alto  ;   David  Shields,  solo  cornet,  leader  ; 

Anthony  Sheffeld,  first  violin, ;   Henry  Schadee,  clarinet,  clarinet  ; 

Edward  Cowing,  second  violin,  Eh  tuba  ;  Fred  Schadee,  second  violin, 
E^  tuba;  Charles  W.  Kinney,  flute,  piccolo;  Fred  Shearn,  trombone, 
trombone  ;  James  Laws,  clarinet,  trombone  ;  Richard  W.  Irwin,  cornet, 
solo  cornet  ;  Andrew   Franzen,  cornet,   cornet  ;  Julius  Schadee,  contra- 


^Tma^u^m' im,,u',f,,mi",|.',»»'*«niTrmiriiiiiijiiiliiji'fh||jim 


i  mm  ii  n 


RESIDENCE   OK    DR.    J.    B.    LEARNED. — FORMERLY    A.    SHEFFELD  S. 

bass,  bell  tree  ;  Thomas  Irwin,  clarinet,  clarinet  ;  Jerome  Mead,  violin, 
Eh  tenor  ;  William  Norton,  piano,  solo  baritone  ;  Edwin  Martin,  snare 
drum  ;  James  Tayntor,  snare  drum  ;  Edward  Hammond,  Eh  bass  ;  Dan- 
iel Franzen,  Ei  tuba  ;  Albert  Shumway,  Eh  tenor;  E.  P.  Nichols,  bass 
drum  ;  Louis  Eager,  Eh  tenor  ;  Elbert  M.  Couch,  Ei  cornet  ;  Fred 
Smith,  cymbals  ;  James  O'Niel,  treasurer  of  band,  solo  alto  ;  George 
Gaffney,  drum  major. 

I  trust  I  may  be  pardoned  if  I  close  my  poor  contribution  with  a  trib- 
ute to  the  "  Northampton  Community,"  a  part  of  which  I  was  in  1846, 
the  last  year  of  its  existence.  I  remember  it  as  a  congregation  of  fam- 
ilies of  education,  refinement,  and  sturdy  common  sense,  but  with  no 
worldly  wealth  among  them.     I  recall   how  our  assemblies  for  the  enjoy- 


176 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


ment  of  literature,  debate,  religion,  and  temperance  were  devoid  of  all 
instrumental  aids  to  the  songs  which  were  poured  forth  by  the  glad 
voices  of  the  men,  women,  and  children.  Dear,  old,  beautiful  Commu- 
nity !  I  remember  thy  works  and  poverty,  but  thou  wast  rich  in  a  noble 
philanthropy,  "  remembering  those  in  bonds  as  bound  with  them  "  ;  rich 
in  a  lofty  patriotism,  which,  like  that  of  the  Hebrew  minstrels,  "could 
not  sing  the  Lord's  songs  in  a  strange  land  "  of  bondage  ;  rich  in  neigh- 
borly kindness,  in  the  happy  laughter  of  children  as  I  heard  the  sound 
of  their  going  to  and  fro  among  the  mulberry  trees  ;  thou,  dear  old  boy- 
hood's home,  wast  an  earnest  of  the  Florence  of  to-day,  with  her  lavish 
accompaniment  of  music  and  her  abundant  evidences  of  material  pros- 
perity heard  and  seen  on  every  hand. 


THE    FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 


By  Clayton  E.  Davis. 


Florence  has  always  prided  herself  on  her  fire  department.     Although 
less  than  twenty-five  years  old,  it  has  taken  rapid  strides  and  to-day  our 

engine  house  con- 
tains the  latest  of  fire 
apparatus,  and  the 
members  of  the  de- 
partment are  fully 
versed  in  the  art  of 
fire  fighting. 

In  1870,  at  the  an- 
nual town  meeting  it 
was  voted  to  pur- 
chase three  new 
"self-acting  fire  ex- 
tinguishers." These 
were  delivered  to  the 
city  in  July,  and 
were  to  be  stationed 
at  Florence.  The 
first  company  was  or- 
ganized with  A.  C.  Estabrook,  foreman,  and  Nonotuck  No.  1  was  chosen 
for  its  name.  The  original  members  were  D.  A.  Hemenway,  George 
Ballow,  Patrick  Dady,  N.  P.  Abbott,  David  Remington,  C.  Fairbanks, 
Joseph  Huxley,  L.  B.  Askins,  W.  H.  Riley,  Nicholas  VanSlike,  William 
VanSlike,    Cornelius    VanSlike,    D.  A.    Ross,  L.    H.    Ranney,  and    A.    C. 


ENGINE    HOUSE — FIRE    DEPARTM  F.NT. 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES, 


l77 


Estabrook.  The  company  met 
at  a  small  wooden  building  in 
the  rear  of  the  Congregational 
chapel. 

Soon  after  a  second  com- 
pany was  formed  which  had  its 
headquarters  in  a  small  build- 
ing on  Chestnut  street,  then 
owned  by  the  Florence  Sewing 
Machine  Company.  In  1872, 
hose  reels  were  placed  here, 
which  were  drawn  by  hand. 
In  those  days  when  a  fire  alarm 
was  sounded  the  firemen  had  to 
run  to  their  respective  engine 
houses  and  drag,  oftentimes 
through  the  mud  or  snow,  a 
reel  weighing  thirteen  hundred 
pounds,  and,  when  the  fire  was 
reached,  the  men  were  gener- 
ally ready  to  drop  from  ex- 
haustion. 

The  present  engine  house 
was  completed  in  1883,  the 
town  appropriating  $4000  for 
the  ground  and  building.  On 
the  lower  floor  is  stationed  a 
new  hose  wagon,  the  Clapp  and 
Jones  steamer  and  the  hook 
and  ladder  truck.  The  second 
floor  is  devoted  to  a  large  re- 
ception room,  which  was  fur- 
nished by  our  citizens,  a  bed- 
room and  another  small  room. 
Within  the  past  year  the  elec- 
tric alarm  system  has  been  ex- 
tended to  this  village,  and  every 
alarm  throughout  the  city  is 
now  sounded  at  our  engine 
house. 

Florence  has  been  quite  free 
from    large    fires.     One   of   the 


i78 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


largest  was  the  burning  of  the 
tack  works  on  March  16,  1877; 
$30,000  worth  of  property  was 
destroyed,  but  fortunately  the 
company  was  insured  for  $23.- 
000.  Before  the  first  company 
was  organized  the  Munde  water 
cure  burned,  in  1865.  A  crowd 
of  volunteer  firemen  and  fire- 
women  soon  gathered,  and  the 
comical  scenes  which  often  oc- 
cur at  fires  were  repeated  here. 
Crockery  and  furniture  were 
thrown  from  second  story  win- 
dows, and  doors  and  windows 
were  smashed  to  keep  them 
from  burning.  The  doctor's 
private  wine  vault  was  dis- 
covered and  many  a  bottle 
emptied. 

Other  fires  of  consequence 
have  been  as  follows  :  Decem- 
ber 7,  1877,  the  "  Pine  Street 
block  "  of  the  machine  com- 
pany; December  30,  1877, 
Burns'  box  shop,  near  the  Non- 
otuck  works  ;  April  4,  1880, 
the  "Center  Street  block"  of 
the  machine  company  ;  Sep- 
tember 22,  1880,  the  Williston 
house  on  Pine  street,  and  Saw- 
yer's soap  factory,  May  8,  1887. 

The  "  Pine  Street  block " 
was  burned  through  the 
thoughtlessness  of  a  tenant, 
who  wound  rags  around  a 
frozen  water  pipe,  and,  after 
saturating  them  with  kerosene, 
set  the  mass  afire  to  take  out 
the  frost.  The  attempt  was 
successful,  all  the  frost  in  the 
building  disappearing. 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES. 


179 


The  firemen  have  had  the  usual  experiences  of  being  called  out  on 
false  alarms.  The  most  laughable  one,  perhaps,  was  a  run  to  Hayden- 
ville  made  by  one  of  the  companies,  dragging  the  extinguisher,  in 
answer  to  the  call  of  a  new  whistle  that  was  being  tried  at  the  brass 
works.  The  start  was  made  at  the  suggestion  that  there  was  trouble  at 
Leeds. 

Accidents  to  members  of  the  department  while  on  duty  have  been 
few.  Thomas  Rothwell  was  struck  by  a  brick  at  a  fire  at  the  Center 
several  years  ago,  and  William  Rhood  was  laid  up  for  a  month  from 
injuries  received  at  the  Howes  barn  fire.  Cornelius  VanSlike  caught 
cold  at  the  Congregational  chapel  fire,  which,  it  is  claimed,  caused  his 
death. 


THE    EAGLE    BASE    BALL    CLUB. 

By  One  of  the  Players. 

The  ball  players  that  brought  renown  to  Florence  attained  their  skill 
in  the  days  of  round  ball,  the  game 
from  which  the  more  scientific  base 
ball  was  evolved,  or  in  the  early  asso- 
ciations known  as  the  Florence,  Em- 
mett,  Active,  and  Bay  State  Clubs. 

In  the  summer  of  1865,  the  Twen- 
tieth Massachusetts  Volunteer  Infan- 
try returned  from  the  war  with  a 
glorious  record  for  bravery  and  en- 
durance. One  of  its  members  who 
had  his  home  in  this  neighborhood 
wrote  to  a  friend  here  that  a  nine  from 
the  regiment  had  successfully  com- 
peted with  nines  from  other  regiments 
in  adjoining  camps,  and  it  claimed 
the  championship  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  He  challenged  his  friend  to 
find  a  nine  that  could  defeat  the 
champions.  To  accept  this  challenge, 
the  Eagle  Base  Ball  Club  was  organ- 
ized with  H.  H.  Bond  as  president  and 
E.  S.  Bottum,  secretary.  Fred  W. 
Clark,  a  player  of  recognized  ability,  was  elected  captain,  and,  while 
awaiting  the  return  of  the  regiment,  active  practice  was  commenced. 


firemen  testing  the  life  chute. 


l8o  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE 

The  game  was  played  August  first,  1865.  Captain  Clark  played  left 
field,  H.  H.  Bond  pitcher,  Jonas  Polmatier  catcher,  W.  M.  Kingsley 
short  stop,  Luther  Askins,  John  Metcalf,  and  Frank  Holmes  tended  the 
bases,  while  J.  B.  O'Donnell  and  Patrick  Whalen  were  in  right  and  cen- 
ter fields,  respectively.  The  score,  thirty  to  three,  gave  to  the  Eagles 
the  first  of  a  long  series  of  championships.  Clark,  Kingsley,  Metcalf, 
and  Holmes  did  not  again  appear  in  the  nine,  while  Bond  and  Polmatier 
did  not  return  to  the  club  until  the  next  year. 

New  players  to  fill  vacancies  were  admitted,  and  a  challenge  from  the 
Conway  Club  was  accepted.  The  game  was  fought  and  won  on  Sep- 
tember second,  1865,  on  the  Colonel  Pomeroy  place,  near  Mr.  Stock- 
bridge's  present  residence,  with  the  score  of  forty-six  to  thirteen.  The 
game  was  followed  by  a  supper  given  by  the  victors  to  their  Conwa)' 
visitors. 

A  warm,  personal  friendship  grew  up  between  these  two  clubs,  which 
continued  during  the  life  of  the  organizations,  and  frequent  interchanges 
of  courtesies  took  place  between  them.  The  return  game  between  these 
clubs  was  played  at  Conway,  on  September  sixteenth,  and  in  this  game 
the  players  had  drifted  into  the  positions  which  they  afterwards  usually 
occupied.  O'Donnell  acted  as  captain  in  his  famous  stronghold,  the 
second  base  position  ;  Arthur  Hill  now  first  appeared  with  the  club,  hav- 
ing been  away  from  home  when  the  first  two  games  were  played.  The 
day  was  a  fine  one.  and  it  was  made  a  special  holiday  in  Conway.  The 
mills  stopped,  and  the  farmers  took  a  rest.  The  "  beauty  and  chivalry  " 
of  Conway  had  gathered  in  a  mowing  lot  north  of  the  village,  and  the 
game  was  played  under  pleasant  auspices.  The  Conway  Club  enter- 
tained the  victors  with  a  bounteous  supper  at  the  Conway  Hotel,  and  the 
hilarious  "  Eagles  "   went  home  to  dream  of  future  conquests. 

One  week  later  the  "  Nicaean  Nine  "  of  Amherst  College  undertook 
to  capture  the  Eagles,  but  failed,  much  to  the  surprise  of  the  collegians, 
who  had  expected  an  easy  victory.  The  Eagle  Club  had  as  yet  no  uni- 
forms, and  a  marked  contrast  was  visible  between  the  trim,  handsomely 
costumed  "  Nicoeans,"  and  the  bareheaded,  barefooted,  country  lads, 
who  could  play  ball  if  they  did  not  look  pretty. 

Two  more  games  were  played,  with  the  Williston  No.  2  from  East- 
hampton,  and  the  Haydenville  Club,  and  the  season  of  1865  was  closed 
with  a  clear  list  of  victories  for  the  club. 

With  the  opening  of  the  season  of  1866,  the  nine  had  been  much 
strengthened  by  the  return  of  Bond  and  Polmatier,  who  became  very 
important  members.  Bond  had  made  a  scientific  study  of  the  art  of 
pitching  and  immediately  stepped  into  the  front  rank  of  the  Western 
Massachusetts  pitchers. 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES.  15  r 

Upon  April  second,  the  Conway  Club,  now  called  the  Franklin  Club, 
under  Capt.  George  Kaulback,  appeared  in  Florence  and  another  victory- 
over  these  genial  fellows  was  awarded  the  Florence  boys.  J.  W.  O'Neill 
appeared  from  this  time  as  the  official  scorer  for  the  club.  The  Nicaean 
nine  as  re-organized  was  defeated  at  Amherst  by  the  score  of  thirty- 
eight  to  twenty-one,  on  the  Agricultural  fairgrounds.  Contact  with  such 
men    as  composed   the  Amherst   nine  did   much   to  improve  the   players 


(*V     f% 


'fife?-** 

fir    &*  M 


E.    F.   CONNELL,  J.    POLMATIER,      A.   G.    HILL,  E.    S.    BOTTl'M,  M.    H.    DUNN, 

P.    WHALEN,  H.    H.    BOND,      A.    ROBERTSON,      J.    B.    o'DONNELL. 

EAGLE    BASE    BALL   CLUB. 

and  give  them  self-reliance.  A  marked  improvement  in  the  playing  of 
the  club  was  noticed  from  this  time.  In  this  game,  the  college  boys 
learned  the  mettle  of  the  Florence  team  and  acknowledged  its  strength. 
On  June  first,  the  Monitor  Club  of  Holyoke  was  defeated  by  a  large 
score  and,  on  June  ninth,  the  first  of  a  series  of  contests  took  place  at 
Chicopee,  between  the  Hampden  Club  of  that  place  and  the  Eagle  Club, 
for  the  silver  ball  championship  of  western  Massachusetts.  The  Eagle 
Club  here  met  its  first  defeat,  the  score  being  thirty-six  to  ten.  On  July 
fourth,  the  Amateur  Club  of  Westfield  received  the  attention  of  the 
Eagles  and  in  five  minutes  less  than  two  hours  were  defeated  in  a  West- 


1 82  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

field  sand  bank,  with  the  thermometers  registering  high  figures,  and  the 
scorers  making  the  runs  twenty  to  thirteen. 

It  was  voted  to  try  again  for  the  silver  ball  championship.  When 
they  felt  that  they  were  strong,  the  Eagles  resorted  to  a  little  stratagem 
to  learn  the  strength  of  the  Hampden  Club.  An  impromptu  organiza- 
tion was  made  by  five  Eagles  and  four  players  from  Northampton,  which 
was  called  the  "  Bay  State  nine."  This  team  challenged  the  Hampden 
Club  to  a  friendly  game  not  for  the  championship.  The  challenge  was 
accepted  and  the  boys  went  to  Hampden  Park,  Springfield,  each  one 
girdled  with  a  "  Bay  State  "  engine  company's  belt.  The  result  of  the 
game  being  favorable,  a  challenge  was  sent  from  the  Eagle  Club  for  the 
silver  ball  championship. 

On  August  eighteenth,  the  Hampden  and  Eagle  Clubs,  therefore, 
met  again  on  the  "  Patch  "  in  Chicopee.  The  crowd  was  very  large 
and  the  excitement  intense.  Hill,  the  lucky  fellow,  wras  first  at  the  bat 
and  struck  the  first  ball  pitched,  getting  to  first  base  by  the  "  skin  of  his 
teeth."  Bond,  who  followed,  had  adopted  a  new  style  of  batting,  and  the 
first  ball  pitched  to  him  was  landed  in  extreme  right  field,  close  to  the 
foul  line.  On  this  hit  he  reached  third  base,  sending  Hill  home  with  a 
scored  run.  Result  on  first  two  pitched  balls,  one  run  and  a  man  on 
third  base.  O'Donnell  and  the  succeeding  players  continued  the  good 
work  and  the  first  inning  closed  with  nine   tallies  for  the    Florence  boys. 

When  Ed  Hickey  of  the  Hampdens  planted  a  fly  ball  in  Bottum's 
hands,  the  game  was  won  by  the  Eagle  nine  and  the  excitement  culmi- 
nated. The  players  and  the  crowd  went  crazy  ;  Dunn  came  in  from  the 
field  turning  handsprings,  Hammond  stood  on  his  head  on  the  third 
base,  Polmatier  and  Robertson  were  in  the  hands  of  their  friends,  Bot- 
tum  and  O'Donnell  were  yelling  themselves  hoarse,  Hill  and  Bond  were 
on  the  shoulders  of  enthusiasts  going  around  the  "  Patch  "  at  a  little  less 
than  forty  miles  an  hour,  while  Whalen  to  this  day  cannot  tell  what  hap- 
pened to  him.  The  arrival  home  was  an  ovation  from  the  Northampton 
railroad  station  to  the  homes  of  the  boys,  a  brass  band  parade  and  an 
illuminated  village  giving  them  a  great  welcome. 

After  defeating  the  Mount  Tom  Club  of  Easthampton,  the  Eagles 
prevented  the  silver  ball  from  returning  to  Chicopee  by  again  defeating 
the  Hampden  Club,   this  time  at  Florence. 

On  September  eighth,  the  Pioneer  Club  of  Springfield  appeared  in 
search  of  the  silver  ball,  but  it  was  unfortunate  in  the  day,  as  the  Flor- 
ence boys  had  on  their  batting  clothes,  and  did  terrific  execution,  batting 
out  sixty-eight  runs  to  their  opponents'  twenty.  The  little  printed 
poem,  "Nine  graves  for  the  Eagles,"  brought  to  the  grounds  by  the 
Pioneers,  was  not  distributed  as  was  the  intention. 


H  IS  TOR  IC    R  L-'.M  I N ISCKNCKS. 


I83 


On  October  third, the  Franklins  of  Conway  were  again  defeated,  and, 
on  the  fourth,  the  Monitors  of  Holyoke  suffered  another  defeat  at  the 
hands  of  the  Eagle  Club.  On  October  sixth,  the  Hampden  Club  appeared 
again  and  carried  away  the  silver  ball,  the  score,  twenty-one  to  ten,  giving 
them  this  privilege.  This  trophy  ever  afterwards  remained  in  Chicopee, 
neither  the  Eagle  Club  nor  any  other  association  taking  any  interest  in  it 
from  the  construction  placed  upon  the  regulations  governing  the  contests. 

In  November  the  club  visited  New  York  city  to  play  with  the  great 
amateur  clubs,  but  the  weather  was  so  unpropitious  little  skill  could  be 
exhibited,  and  the  games  with  the  Excelsior  and  Atlantic  Clubs  were 
played  in  overcoats,  and  all  hands  were  glad  when  they  closed. 

The  season  of    1867   opened   with  victories  over  several   minor  clubs, 


DAVIS    AND    KNIGHTS    OF    HONOR    BLOCKS- 


the  first  game  of  any  importance  being  the  defeat  at  Greenfield  of  the 
Ouinipiac  Club  of  West  Meriden,  Conn.,  July  second.  On  July  twenty- 
seventh,  the  Star  Club  of  Greenfield  was  defeated  by  the  score  of  fifty- 
five  to  twenty-six.  The  Union  Club  of  Lansingburgh,  N.  Y.,  better 
known  as  "  the  Haymakers,"  came  to  Northampton,  and  a  noteworthy 
game  took  place  on  the  Agricultural  fair  grounds.  It  was  a  close  con- 
test for  eight  innings,  but  in  the  ninth  the  Haymakers  mowed  too  wide 
a  swath  for  the  local  club,  and  the  score,  seventeen  to  nine,  entitled 
the  visitors  to  carry  off  the  Eagles'  claws.  Victories  over  the  Old  Elm 
Club  of  Pittsfield,  the  Pequot  Club  of  New  London,  the  Champions  of 
Connecticut,  the  Stars  of  Greenfield,  and  the  Federal  Club  of  Shelburne 


184 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


'"-■  *  -T^TT'l- 


Falls  followed  in  quick  succession,  the  two  latter  occurring  on  the  same 
day.  The  Greenfield  Gazette  nicknamed  Bottum  and  Whalen  "  Battem 
and  Whalem  "  for  their  work  at  the  bat  in  the  two  games.  The  Conway 
Club  was  again  defeated  in  September,  and  on  the  eighteenth  of  the 
same  month  the  Union  Club  of  Lansingburgh,  N.  Y.,  sent  the  Eagles 
home  with  the  worst  defeat  sustained  in  their  career — fifty-eight  to 
eighteen. 

A  New  England  Association  of  Base  Ball  Clubs  had  been  formed,  and 
the   Eastern    states  put  into  five   districts.     The   champions   of  the   five 

districts  met  on  September 
twenty-third,  at  Riverside 
Park,  near  Boston,  to  compete 
for  the  New  England  cham- 
pionship. The  Eagle  Club  ap- 
peared as  the  champions  of  the 
fifth  district  (western  Massa- 
chusetts, and  state  of  Connect- 
icut). The  Eagles  easily  de- 
feated the  Rollstone  Club  of 
Fitchburg,  the  Fraternity  Club 
of  South  Boston,  and  the  cham- 
pion club  of  the  third  district. 
On  the  twenty-sixth  came  the 
strife  between  the  Eagle  Club 
and  the  Trimountain  Club  of 
Boston.  This  game  the  Eagles  have  always  repudiated,  as  the  club 
received  such  unfair  treatment  from  the  tournament  committee  and  the 
umpire.  The  club  after  protesting,  without  effect,  to  the  selection  of  the 
umpire  by  the  committee,  felt  obliged  to  decline  proceeding  with  the  game 
after  three  very  unfair  decisions  of  the  umpire,  and  the  game  was  awarded 
the  Trimountain  Club.  The  boys  returned  home,  feeling  ill-used,  but 
confident  of  their  ability  to  cope  successfully  with  any  New  England 
Club. 

The  season  closed  after  two  more  games  with  the  Hampden  Club,  not 
for  the  silver  ball,  however.  The  first  of  the  two  was  won  by  the  Flor- 
ence team,  while  the  latter  one  resulted  in  a  tie  game,  each  club  scoring 
twenty-two  runs.  The  club  did  not  reorganize  after  that  season,  and 
though  Eagle  Clubs  have  existed  in  Florence  to  this  day,  the  old  Eagle 
nine  rested  on  its  laurels,  and  has  been  since  then  a  memory  of  the  past. 
The  Eagle  Club  suffered  six  defeats  only  in  its  three  years'  career,  two 
by  the  Hampden  Club  of  Chicopee  (this  club  was  beaten  three  times  by 
the  Eagles,  and  the  sixth  game  of  the  series  was  a  drawn  game),  two  by 


"Young  hearts  shall  hail  the  drifted  cold, 
As  gayly  as  we  did  of  old." 


HISTORIC    REMINISCKWl  S. 


I85 


the  Unions  of  Lansingburgh,  and  one  each  by  the  Atlantic  and  Excelsior 
Clubs  of  New  York  city.  These,  with  the  game  given  to  the  Trimoun- 
tain  Club  by  the  tournament  committee,  are  the  only  records  which  can 
be  found  against  the  Eagle  nine.  Only  the  important  games  have  been 
mentioned  here. 

The  individual  members  did  not  apparently  suffer  in  their  morals  by 
their  frequent  trips  from  home.  Good  discipline  was  maintained,  and 
the  younger  members  were  well  looked  after  by  the  older  ones.  The 
warmest  feeling  always  existed  between  the  members,  no  bickerings  or 
unpleasant  scenes  ever  transpired. 

The  scores  were  large  in  those  days  as  the  balls  were  largely  com- 
posed of  rubber.  There  was  a  charm  about  good  amateur  playing  which 
the  present  collections  of  professional  players  do  not  furnish;  a  Flor- 
ence Club  meant  a  club  of  Florence  players,  and  a  local  pride  in  the 
nine  was  felt  by  each  inhabitant  of  the  village. 

Of  those  recognized    as    the  nine,   Henry    H.   Bond,   Philip  J.  Mara, 
Edward  H.  Hammond,  and  Edmund  Connell  are  no  longer  living.     Flor- 
ence is  still  the  home  of  Jonas  Polmatier,  J.  B.   O'Donnell,  Edward   S. 
Bottum,    and    Arthur  G.   Hill.      Patrick    Whalen   lives    in    New    Haven, 
Andrew  Robertson  in  Springfield,  while  Michael  H.  Dunn,  James  Mehan, 
and   John   McGrath   are  sup- 
posed  still    to   be   busy  some- 
where   in    the    world's   work. 
James  W.  O'Neill,  the  faithful 
scorer,    holds     an     important 
position  in  Wichita,  Kansas. 

The  club  was  greatly  in- 
debted to  the  people  of  Flor- 
ence, especially  to  the  work- 
men in  the  shops  of  the 
Florence  Sewing  Machine 
Company,  who  did  much  in 
the  way  of  providing  uni- 
forms, equipments,  and  trans- 
portation expenses.  No  player 
received  any  pay  for  his  time, 

the  individual  gave  that  freely,  and  to  several  it  meant  self-sacrifice  in 
many   directions. 

Bond  and  O'Donnell  would  rank  as  first-class  players.  What  they 
did  was  carefully  planned  and  executed.  Dunn  was  a  phenomenon, 
lithe,  active,  though  apparently  careless,  with  a  keen  eye,  always  in  the 
right  place,  seemingly  by  accident.     Polmatier,  long  of  arm  and  large  of 


EAST    ON    MAIN    STREET    IN    1S75. 


l86  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

frame,  was  the  easiest  player  on  the  team,  sometimes  a  little  too  easy  for 
the  best  results.  Robertson  and  Mara,  the  catchers,  were  small  and 
active,  often  achieving  success  where  larger  men  would  have  failed. 
Robertson  was  the  stronger  and  better  player  of  the  two.  Bottum, 
though  small,  was  cordy  and  resolute,  never  afraid,  a  strong  batter  and 
a  sure  catch.  Whalen  was  thoroughly  reliable,  no  steadier  or  more 
graceful  player  appeared  on  the  field.  His  "  daisy  cutters  "  were  sent 
with  such  power  that  rarely  were  they  stopped  in  season  to  do  him  mis- 
chief. Askins  at  his  best  was  a  good  player.  "  Old  Bushel  Basket  "  was 
his  pet  name,  for,  until  his  sickness, 'the  balls  seemed  to  drop  into  his 
fingers  and  stay  there  as  if  a  basket  held  them.  Hill  was  active  and 
made  a  fair  showing  as  a  player.  He  achieved  his  greatest  renown  from 
the  nine  he  captained.  Never  a  strong  batter,  he  slid  to  many  a  base 
just  quick  enough  to  claim  it.  His  throwing  powers  were  weakened  by 
an  injury  to  his  arm  in  the  season  of  1866,  so  that  he  played  only  as  sub- 
stitute in  1867,  though  retaining  the  captaincy  until  the  end.  Connell 
was  a  good  short  stop  and  reserve  pitcher,  and  generally  did  heavy  batting. 
The  third  base  was  always  the  weak  spot  in  the  nine,  Hammond,  Mehan, 
and  Payson  doing  good  work  in  that  position,  but  neither  of  them  prov- 
ing an  ideal  baseman.  McGrath,  the  pitcher  of  the  first  year,  was  a 
better  pitcher  than  batter,  but  he  was  much  missed  until  Bond  showed 
his  great  ability. 

The  days  of  such  organizations  seem  to  have  passed,  but  an  enthu- 
siast derived  more  pleasure  in  witnessing  the  honest  games  of  such  teams 
as  the  Eagles  and  the  Hampdens,  than  the  1S94  games  of  the  more  scien- 
tific professionals. 


MY    EARLY    RECOLLECTIONS. 
By  John  B.  O'Donnell. 

In  complying  with  your  request  to  write  relative  to  my  early  recol- 
lections of  the  beautiful  village  so  long  my  home,  scenes  of  pleasure  and 
joy  crowd  upon  me.  These  are  mingled  with  sorrow  and  sadness  when 
I  think  of  the  many  dear  friends  and  kind  neighbors  who  then  were 
adding  to  and  aiding  in  the  general  happiness  but,  alas  !  who  are  now  in 
their  long  and  silent  homes. 

About  the  middle  of  March,  1859,  when  twelve  years  of  age,  stout 
and  muscular,  robed  in  a  farmer's  frock,  near  the  "  Cross  house,"  in  Flor- 
ence, with  unerring  aim,  I  stood  at  noon  pouring  snowballs  at  the  boys 
and  young  men  on  their  way  to  the  cotton  mill  and  button  shop.  The 
snowballs  were   so  hard  and   my  boldness  so  exasperating  that  several 


HISTORIC    RKMINISCENCKS. 


I87 


times  a  rush  was  made  to  thrash  me,  to  avoid  which  I  sought  refuge 
within  the  walls  of  the  house.  Thus  it  was  that  I  introduced  myself  to 
the  companions  and  friends  of   my  youth  and  manhood. 

Florence  at  this  time  was  a  place  of  humble  but  happy  homes.  The 
classes  and  self-styled  aristocrats,  now  so  numerous  in  other  places, 
were  here  unknown.  Protestant,  Catholic,  Gentile,  and  Jew,  white  and 
black,  all  were  invited,  received,  and  welcomed  as  members  of  one  com- 
mon   brotherhood.      There  were  but  few  houses,  comparatively.     There 


M*  t|#^^ 


VIEW   OF    FLORENCE   AND    RESIDENCES   ABOUT    1865 — FROM    OLD   LITHOGRAPH. 

was  no  church,  but  meetings  were  often  held  in  the  little  district  school- 
house  that  stood  where  the  High  school  building  now  stands.  The 
Catholics  went  to  Northampton  to  mass  in  the  King  street  church.  To 
this  church  and  back,  the  people  of  Florence,  and  very  many  from  East- 
hampton,  Hatfield,  Williamsburg,  and  Amherst,  walked,  yet  consump- 
tion and  heart  disease  were  almost  unknown  among  them.  There  was 
no  public  mode  of  conveyance  on  Sundays,  and  only  Abercombie's  bus 
on  week   days,  at  fifty  cents  for  the  round  trip.     Of  course  livery  horses 


1 88  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

then,  as  now,  were  in  demand  on  special  occasions,  all  of  which  were 
supplied  by  Graves  Brothers,  "  under  the  hill,"  in  the  rear  of  the  houses 
just  below  the  Askins  homestead.  They  are  yet  in  business  on  the  hill, 
and  long  may  they  live  and  prosper  !  Nonotuck  street  was  then  the 
main  street  and  the  only  business  place  of  the  village. 

The  games  and  sports  of  the  youth  were  mostly  indulged  in  on  the 
Sabbath  day.  "  Paradise,"  then  owned  by  the  Greenville  Manufacturing 
Company,  was  fairly  alive  with  girls,  boys,  and  men  on  Sundays  during 
the  summer.  In  the  winter  the  scene  of  action  changed  to  the  crust- 
covered  snow  on  the  hillsides,  and  the  ice  on  the  ponds  and  river,  and 
always  their  merry  laughter  and  joyous  shouts  rang  and  echoed  over 
the  neighboring  hills. 

The  strict  Sabbatarian  who  may  peruse  these  lines,  will  not,  I  trust, 
too  severely  criticise  and  censure  the  youth,  the  parents,  or  the  com- 
munity of  those  days.  There  was  no  law  fixing  the  school  age  of  the 
children,  and  all  the  poor  were  obliged  to  begin  to  work  at  an  early  age. 
It  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  children  regularly  employed  at  the  age 
of  nine  years,  and  these — almost  infants — and  all  others  were  obliged  to 
labor  from  half  past  six  in  the  morning  till  half  past  seven  at  night,  with 
only  one  half  hour  intermission  for  dinner.  Where  was  the  time  during 
the  week  for  reading,  recreation,  and  sleep  ? 

But  as  time  went  on  and  the  factories  prospered,  many  strict  church 
people  immigrated  to  the  village.  They  naturally  objected  to  this  god- 
less manner  of  observing  the  holy  Sabbath,  and  an  effort  was  made  to 
break  it  up.  They  had  Mr.  Julius  Phelps,  afterwards  a  deacon  of  the 
"White"  Church,  appointed  a  constable  to  arrest  and  imprison  (!)  all 
Sabbath  breakers.  While  Mr.  Phelps  was  a  conscientious,  Christian 
gentleman,  he  had  a  big,  liberal,  and  sympathetic  heart.  The  boys 
respected  him  very  much,  and  they  were  ever  ready  to  show  their  obedi- 
ence and  good  intentions — when  he  was  in  sig/it !  They  continued  clan- 
destinely, however,  to  plav  as  of  old,  but  when  the  games  were  in  progress 
the  sentinels  and  pickets  were  always  on  duty,  ever  on  the  alert  to  give 
the  alarm,  when  all  would  at  once  put  on  their  coats,  sit  down  lawfully, 
and  await  the  approach  of  the  "common  enemy."  They  always  got  a 
lecture  and  good  advice  from  the  kind-hearted  constable.  But  Mr. 
Phelps  "  caught  on  "  to  the  picket  protector,  and  formulated  plans  to 
break  through  it. 

A  match  game  of  ball  was  arranged  between  the  forces  of  the  cotton 
mill  and  button  shop,  to  be  played  opposite  the  brick  house  near  Landy's 
— no  Landy  avenue  then.  It  was  a  great  battle  !  In  the  middle  of  the 
game,  while  excitement  ran  high,  a  great  shout  of  alarm  rent  the  air,  and 
lo  and  behold  !  there  was  the  officer  coming  at  full  speed  and  almost 


HIS  l'<  IRIC    RI.MINISCENCKS. 


189 


upon  them.  The  warriors  grabbed  their  scanty  wardrobes  and  ran  for 
dear  life  down  the  Bay  State  road  towards  the  dam,  many  jumping  into 
the  river  and  swimming  to  the  opposite  shore.  But  after  every  storm 
there  comes  a  calm.  They  halted  on  a  lot  near  the  insane  asylum, 
reorganized,  threw  out  their  pickets,  and  fought  the  battle  to  a  finish. 
A  quarter  of  a  century  afterwards,  when  Mr.  Phelps,  a  stanch  friend  of 
mine,  and  I  were  on  duty  as  city  assessors,  I  reminded  him  of  this  epi- 
sode.     He  remembered  it  well,  and  he  laughed  loud  and  heartily. 

The  evening  school  of 
Florence  was  a  most  timely 
and  beneficial  institution. 
Samuel  L.  Hill  was  the 
prime  mover  and  principal 
supporter  for  five  years, 
when  the  town  assumed 
the  management.  A.  T. 
Lilly,  Samuel  A.  Bottum, 
and  others  were  contribu- 
tors. For  a  few  years  the 
teaching  was  done  by  vol- 
unteers.  Among  these 
were  Daniel  W.  Bond,  now 
an  honored  judge  of  the 
superior  court,  Thomas  S. 
Mann,  and  A.  R.  Morse.  During  the  vacations  of  this  school,  writing  was 
taught  by  Michael  Walsh,  Edson  S.  Ross,  and  a  Mr.  Hillman. 

Among  the  persons  employed  to  teach  the  evening  school  were  Mary 
W.  Bond,  a  very  successful  teacher,  a  Mr.  Battles,  who  was  not  so  success- 
ful, and  Caroline  W.  James,  who  was  the  longest  connected  with  the 
school.  She  was  a  lady  of  rare  executive  ability,  kind  and  gentle,  yet 
the  most  unruly  boy  was  completely  under  her  control.  She  seemed 
readily  to  extricate  from  difficulty  the  dullest  mind,  and  never  appeared 
impatient  or  discouraged.  The  school  was  well  and  regularly  attended, 
having  about  fifty  scholars,  and  among  her  "graduates  "  are  successful 
journalists,  lawyers,  mechanics,  and  business  men  and  women. 

To  this  school  many  of  us  owe  much,  and  to  the  originators,  support- 
ers, and  teachers  we  can  never  be  too  grateful.  I  gladly  take  this  oppor- 
tunity to  acknowledge  my  appreciation  of  their  philanthropy  and  valu- 
able services,  and  to  extend  my  grateful  thanks  to  those  of  them  who  are 
living.  I  shall  ever  revere  and  cherish  the  memory  of  those  who  have 
since  joined  the  silent  majority,  who,  I  trust,  are  now  enjoying  their 
heavenly  reward. 


COOLING    OFF. 


190 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


A  «* 


THE    MUNDE    WATER    CURE. 
By  Paul  F.  Munde,  M.D. 

We  first  went  to  Florence  early  in  the  fifties  and  there  I  spent  sixteen 
of  the  happiest  years  of  my  life.  As  a  boy  I  roamed  over  the  fields  and 
woods,  fished  the  stream  and  the  brooks,  then  teeming  with  trout,  bathed 
at  Locust  Grove  many  times  with  my  old  friend,  Arthur  Hill,  played 
baseball  in  the  field  near  his  house,  coasted  in  winter  down  the  hills, 
went  for  the  mail  to  the  post  office  at  the  village  store  kept  by  I.  S. 
Parsons,  and  enjoyed  myself  in  the  magnificent  country  as  only  a  boy 
can. 

The  land  opposite  our  house  was  covered  with  mulberry  trees,  the 
ripe  and   luscious  fruit  of  which  I  gathered  with  great  pleasure.     They 

were  a  remnant  of  the  Whitmarsh  mul- 
berry fever.  In  those  days,  game  was 
fairly  plenty.  Coons  were  common, 
squirrels  abundant,  partridges  and 
quail  easy  to  find  in  the  season,  and 
the  woods  in  places  were  more  or  less 
primeval.  Northampton  was  then  a 
"  town,"  but  to  us  villagers  quite  a 
place,  toward  which  our  ambitions 
soared. 

At  that  time  new  ideas  and  practices 
in  various  lines  were  very  popular  in 
Florence,  which  had  always  been  a  sort 
of  haven  of  refuge  for  original  minds, 
reformers,  and  conspirators  in  a  mild 
way.  The  Graham  Bread  Cure,  Abo- 
litionism, Freethinkers,  Cold  Water 
Cure,  and  other  innovations  on  com- 
monly accepted  customs,  found  ready  support  among  the  business  men 
and  farmers  of  Hampshire  County.  In  this  way  can  be  explained  the 
foundation  of  a  small  water  cure  establishment  at  Florence  which  was 
managed  by  "Dr."  Ruggles,  whose  natural  shrewdness  in  a  measure  com- 
pensated for  his  want  of  scientific  knowledge. 

Hydropathy  had  found  its  way  across  the  water  from  the  numerous 
followers  and  pupils  of  Priessnitz,  who,  at  Graefenberg,  in  the  moun- 
tains of  Austrian  Silesia,  had  established  an  institution  which  in  spite  of 
its  fanatical  and  reckless  methods  of  treatment,  achieved  remarkable 
cures  and  spread  the  name  of  its  founder  throughout  the  civilized  world. 


J&  ^ 


CHARLES    MUNDE,    M.D. 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES. 


I9I 


CHARLES    MUNDES    WATER    CURE. 


One  of  these  pupils  and  followers  was  my  father,  who  had  become  a 
convert  through  his  own  cure  of  gout,  which  at  the  early  age  of  thirty 
threatened  to  terminate  his  life. 

After  struggling  for  nearly  a  year  in  New  York  in  search  of  a  prac- 
tice (my  father's  office  was  in  a  basement  in  Chambers  street,  I  believe) 
through  Horace  Greeley,  I  think,  my  father  was  informed  of  the  oppor- 
tunity to  take  up  his 
favorite  method  at 
Florence,  through  the 
death  of  "  Dr."  Rug- 
gles.  Without  money, 
but  endowed  with  a 
vigorous  constitution, 
an  iron  determination, 
and  indomitable  en- 
ergy, my  father  took 
charge  of  the  dilapi- 
dated building  which 
constituted  the  so- 
called  "  water  cure," 
and  with    the   help  of 

kind  friends  who  loaned  him  money  without  security,  soon  had  them  in 
such  condition  that  they  were  fit  to  receive  patients  from  the  better 
classes.  In  two  years  or  thereabouts,  he  was  able  to  pay  off  his  debts 
and  build  a  large  new  house.  From  that  time  the  tide  of  prosperity 
flowed  steadily  for  him  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  threatened 
to  ruin  him.  A  very  large  number  of  his  patients  were  from  the  South, 
and  among  the  guests  were  to  be  found  the  names  of  the  proudest  families 
of  Virginia,  Kentucky,  the  Carolinas,  and  Alabama. 

I  remember  well  the  day  of  the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  when 
my  father  and  I  returned  from  a  visit  to  Boston,  expressly  that  my  father 
might  cast  his  vote  for  Lincoln.  On  our  return  home,  a  Southern  lady, 
a  Mrs.  Wogram  from  New  Orleans,  asked  my  father,  as  he  alighted  from 
the  carriage,  why  he  had  returned  sooner  than  he  had  expected.  He 
replied,  "To  vote."  She  asked,  "And  whom  did  you  vote  for,  Doctor?" 
"  Why,  for  Lincoln,  of  course."  "  We  leave  the  house  to-morrow,  Doctor," 
at  once  replied  the  lady.  "Very  well,"  said  my  father,  "you  can  all  go, 
if  that  is  your  reason,"  and  go  they  did,  all  of  them.  In  two  days  there 
was  not  a  Southerner  in  the  house. 

Soon,  however,  when  the  country  rallied  from  the  shock  of  secession 
and  settled  down  to  the  conviction  of  a  long  war,  business  again  resumed 
its  natural  channels,  improved  even,  and  new  patients  from  North,  East, 


192 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


and  West  fully  made  up  for  those  from  the  South  who  stayed  away,  and 
the  old  prosperity  of  the  establishment  returned  and  continued  until  it 
was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  night  of  November  seventh,  1865.  Feeling 
exhausted  by  fifteen  years  of  work,  and  having  reached  the  age  of  sixty, 
my  father  decided  not  to  rebuild,  and  we  all  returned  to  Europe  in 
April,  1866,  my  father,  mother,  and  sister  not  to  return. 

Only  those  who  knew  our  place  when  my  father  first  took  it  can 
appreciate  the  hard  and  incessant  labor,  and  the  great  expense  which  it 
cost  to  make  out  of  a  comparatively  barren  wilderness  a  beautiful  park, 
with  large  trees,  shady  walks,  and  fragrant  flower  beds.  When  I  revisited 
the  old  place  in  1872,  on  my  return  from  abroad,  I  hardly  knew  it.  The 
old  wilderness  had  returned,  one  building  only  was  standing  of  the 
horseshoe  structure  which  easily  accommodated  one  hundred  and  fifty 
patients.  The  woods  in  which  I  had  played  and  hunted  the  partridges 
were  cut  down,  and  blackened  stumps  occupied  their  place. 

The  popularity  of  my  father's  establishment  was  mainly  due  to  his 
successful  treatment  of  his  patients.  Many  chronic,  intractable  ailments, 
which  had  resisted  the  usual  remedies  employed  by  the  medical  profession, 
yielded  to  the  regular  hours,  carefully  regulated  diet,  exercise,  bathing, 
sweating,  rubbing,  drenching,  etc.,  which  formed  the  routine  of  life  in 
the  cure.  Many  prominent  physicians  visited  the  establishment  with 
patients,  or  in  order  to  see  the  methods  there  employed.  I  will  but 
mention  the  late  Dr.  J.  Marion  Sims,  the  father  of  modern  gynecology. 

Although  at  first  practiced  empirically  and  with  the  reckless  hardi- 
hood peculiar  to  new  methods  ;  although  in  imminent  danger  of  becom- 
ing obsolete  through   the  fanaticism    of  "cranks,"  who  would  make  the 

world  believe  that  water  was 
a  "  cure-all,"  in  course  of  time 
hydropathy  assumed  a  more 
scientific  aspect,  and  was 
gradually  recognized  by  the 
regular  profession  as  a  potent 
aid  in  their  practice.  In  the 
popular  mind  hydropathy 
formerly  meant  the  treatment 
of  all  kinds  of  diseases  with 
cold  water.  This  was  an  error. 
The  treatment  was  really 
with  water,  cold,  hot,  warm,  and  tepid,  as  the  case  should  indicate, 
applied  in  many  different  ways  in  accordance  with  well  understood 
scientific  rules  and  practice.  Diet,  rest,  early  hours,  freedom  from  care 
and  excitement,  fresh  country  air, — all  these  were,  of  course,  natural  ad- 


PINE    STREET    BRIDGE    IN    1863 
From  a  letter  head  of  Dr.  Mimde's. 


His  I  Okie    REMINISCENCES. 


193 


junctS  to  the  hydropathic  treatment.  No  doubt  many  a  patient  lias 
succumbed  to  the  misjudged  zeal  of  his  (hydropathically)  ignorant  med- 
ical attendant. 

Our  life  at  Florence  was  a  happy  one,  but,  on  the  whole,  uneventful. 
My  father's  large  establishment,  with  its  grounds  of  over  one  hundred 
acres,  kept  him  so  occupied,  that  in  the  busy  season  (spring  and  sum- 
mer), he  had  little  time  to  attend  to  other  matters.  But  he  was  always 
warmly  interested  in  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  village,  which  was 
slowly  and  steadily  increasing  in  size  and  importance.  He  never  forgot 
to  his  dying  day  (he  died  in  Goez,  Austria,  in  February,  1S87,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-two)  the  beautiful  spot  where  he  had  spent  so  many  happy 
years,  met  so  many  warm  friends,  and  last,  but  not  least,  amassed  a 
competence  which  enabled  him  to  spend  the  last  sixteen  years  of  his  life 
in  comfort  and  independence.  My  father  always  gloried  in  his  American 
citizenship,  and  in  his  association  with  Florence.  Pictures  of  our  old 
home  there  hung  in  his  house  at  Goez  in  prominent  positions  when  I  last 
visited  him  there  in  18S6. 


FLORENCE    IN    THE    MILL    RIVER    FLOOD. 
By  Clayton  E.  Davis. 

This  work  would  not  be  complete  without  a  brief  sketch  of  the  Mill 
River  flood.  The  whole  valley,  from  Williamsburg  to  Northampton, 
shook  from  stem  to  stern  on  that  now  memorable  morning,  May  sixteenth, 

1874,  and  when  the  enemy  had 
passed  beyond,  it  was  discovered 
that  it  had  wrecked  four  villages, 
destroyed  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  dollars  worth  of  property, 
and  had  sent  into  the  unknown 
land  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
human  beings. 

The  defective  reservoir,  which 
was  the  cause  of  this  terrible  cat- 
astrophe, was  situated  about  three 
miles  above  Williamsburg,  in  the 
northeastern  part  of  the  town.  In  the  month  of  May, 1874,  there  was  stand- 
ing all  along  this  valley  a  costly  array  of  mills,  factories,  shops,  offices, 
and  banks.  Nearly  all  were  in  operation.  The  stream  was  low,  and,  upon 
the  evening  of  the  fifteenth,  the  families  retired  to  rest  with  no  thought 
of    the   impending    danger  ;    mill    owners,     bankers,     capitalists,     were 


FLOOD   WOOD   ON    WARNER'S    MEADOW. 


194 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


*!►* 


WRECK   OF    BOARDING    HOUSE    AT    HAYDENVILLE 


RUINS    OF    STONE    BRIDGE    AT    LEEDS. 


engrossed  in  their  schemes 
for  the  future  ;  all  was  peace, 
prosperity,  comfort,  and  do- 
m  e  s  t  i  c  happiness.  The 
morning  of  the  sixteenth 
dawned  —  the  fatal  day  had 
arrived. 

The  reservoir  was  in 
charge  of  George  Cheney, 
and  he  inspected  the  dam, 
as  usual,  at  six  o'clock  on 
the  eventful  morning,  and 
found  everything  satisfac- 
tory. But  very  soon  his 
father  from  the  house  dis- 
covered the  break,  and 
Cheney,  grasping  at  once 
the  situation,  sprang  on 
his  horse,  and  started  for 
Williamsburg.  The  rides  of 
Cheney  to  Williamsburg,  of 
Collins  Graves  and  Jerome 
Hillman  to  Haydenville,  and 
Myron  Day  from  Hayden- 
ville through  Leeds  to  Flor- 
ence, have  passed  into  his- 
tory. This  article  must  be 
brief,  and  it  is  sufficient  to 
say  that  by  their  heroic  work 
hundreds  of  lives  were  saved. 

Hardly  had  Cheney 
started  when  the  dam  began 
to  crumble  more  and  more. 
The  wall  fell  away  faster  and 
faster,  and  soon  with  a  sud- 
den roar  the  great  mass  was 
carried  out  at  once.  The 
imprisoned  waters,  pouring 
through  with  indescribable 
fury,  began  their  terrible 
work  of  destruction.  The 
flood    had    commenced. 


HISTORIC    KKMINISCENCES. 


195 


Pages  could  be  filled  with  an  account  of  this  mad  rush  of  the  waters  from 
the  time  the  flood  burst  upon  Williamsburg  until  it  had  passed  Florence. 

The  water  dashed  out  from  its  heretofore  strong  house,  and,  seeming 
to  mock  the  dam  that  previously  had  held  it  in  check,  flew  into  the  val- 
ley below.  The  waters  first  struck  the  village  of  Williamsburg,  and 
houses,  mills,  bridges,  and  fifty-seven  persons  were  grasped  within  its 
arms.  The  same  story  can  be  told  of  Skinnerville,  where  four  lives  were 
lost,  in  Haydenville,  where  forty-one  buildings  and  twenty-four  per- 
sons were  carried  onward,  and  in  Leeds,  where  fifty-one  of  its  inhabitants 
swelled  the  list  of  the  dead  to  one  hundred  and  thirty-six.  Out  of  thirty 
buildings  along  the  main  street  in  Leeds,  but  three  defied   the  flood. 

The  village  of  Florence  awoke,  as  usual,  that  morning,  and  its  people 
hurried  through  the  rain  to  their  different  places  of  daily  toil.  Soon 
after  eight  o'clock,  Myron  Day  drove  into  the  lower  part  of  the  village, 
and  alarmed  the  employers  of  the  shops  and  mills.  The  alarm  quickly 
spread,  and  the  mill  employ- 
ees fled  to  places  of  safety, 
there  to  watch  the  mad  rush 
of  the  waters.  The  warn- 
ing flew  throughout  the  vil- 
lage, but  before  many  could 
get  to  the  river  the  flood 
had  passed,  and  the  angry 
waters  had  added  another 
chapter  to  the  disasters  of 
this  country. 

The  first  rush  of  the  ad- 
vancing flood  was  formid- 
able as  a  tidal  wave,  sweep- 
ing everything  before  it.  It 
rolled  onward  in  a  billow 
from  six  to  ten  feet  in 
height,  as  it  entered  Flor- 
ence, laden  with  a  mass  of 
flood  wood,  comprised  of 
dismantled  houses,  bridges, 
factory  buildings,  fences,  uprooted  trees,  dead  animals,  and,  fearful  to 
relate,  human  bodies — men,  women,  and  little  children,  rent,  bruised, 
stripped  of  their  clothing,  and  battered  almost  beyond  recognition.  While 
people  were  yet  wondering,  dazed,  and  confounded  at  this  terrible  rush 


SEARCHING    FOR    DEAD    ON    FLORENCE    MEAEOWS* 


*  Seventeen  bodies  were  found  here. 


196 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


of  waters,  the  Meadow  street  bridge  gave  way  with  a  crash,  and  was 
hurled  onward  toward  the  iron  bridge  at  the  brush  shop.  In  a  twink- 
ling, this  second  bridge  was  torn  from  its  supports,  and  a  minute  later 
both  bridges  went  over  the  dam.  At  about  the  same  moment  the  wooden 
bridge  just  below  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Company  yielded  to  the  force,  and 

that,  too,  passed  onward.    In 
ten   minutes   the  water  had 
"v*~v      risen  to   six  feet    above  the 
highest  watermark,  and  the 
scene  for  the  next  hour  was 
absolutely  appalling.   Scores 
of  dwellings  on  every  hand 
in  the  lower  part  of   the  vil- 
lage    stood     like     so     many 
islands    in    a    wilderness    of 
angry    waters,    and     people 
were  running  in  every  direc- 
tion,alarmed  and  bewildered 
by    the    catastrophe    which 
had  come  so  suddenly  upon 
them.     Lower  floors   had  to 
be  abandoned,  and  the  fam- 
ilies   crouched    in   terror   in 
the  upper  stories  expecting 
every  moment  to  have  their 
homes     swept    down     the 
stream. 
But  little  property  was  lost  in  Florence.     The   Nonotuck   Silk   Com- 
pany lost  an  addition  to  their  dye  house  which  was   in  process   of  com- 
pletion, a  blacksmith  shop  and  storehouse  were  carried  away,  also  ashed 
forty  feet  long,  containing  five  hundred    dollars  worth   of   flour,  a  lot  of 
lumber   owned    by  Amos    Eldridge,  and    one   hundred   cords   of    wood 
belonging  to  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Company.     The   Florence   Manufactur- 
ing Company  estimated   their  loss  at   $3000,  and  the    remaining  damage 
done  in  Florence  was  in  the  meadows,  which  were  then  owned  by  Austin 
Ross,  Samuel  Bottum,  Solomon  Phelps,  Bela  Gardner,  John  and  Joseph 
Warner.     John    F.  Warner  sold   at  one  dollar  each,  six  hundred  wagon 
loads  of  flood  wood  from  his   meadow.     This  gives   an    idea  of  the  vast 
amount  of  debris  strewn  over  the  lowlands. 

As  soon  as  the  water  began  to  recede,  the  bodies  were  found  and  a 
place  was  provided  for  them,  until  they  could  be  identified,  in  a  small 
wooden    building   used   by  William  J.  Warner   as  a   carpenter   shop  and 


DEBRIS    ON     JOHN    WARNER  S    MEADOW. 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES.  197 

situated  above  his  residence  on  North  Main  street,  where  the  bodies 
were  brought  in  all  day  Saturday  and  Sunday.  They  were  laid  in 
two  rows  and  each  made  as  presentable  as  possible.  There  were  men, 
women,  and  children,  some  with  features  convulsed  in  agony,  others 
quiet  and  peaceful  as  if  in  sleep.  As  soon  as  a  body  was  recognized, 
it  was  removed,  and  many  were  the  heartrending  scenes  as  the  bereaved 
ones  recognized  companions,  friends,  or  relatives  in  that  silent  company. 
The  news  of  the  disaster  spread  over  the  country  like  wildfire,  creating 
the  greatest  excitement.  Before  noon  Saturday,  though  it  was  raining, 
people  began  to  arrive.  On  Sunday  the  weather  being  pleasant,  people 
came  by  the  thousand  ;  lumber  wagons,  buggies,  carriages,  and  express 
wagons  crowded  the  entire  route  of  the  disaster.  Springfield,  Holyoke, 
and  other  places  sent  large  delegations.  The  railroad  made  hourly 
trips  to  accommodate  the  vast  throng.  Main  street  of  this  village  was 
crowded  with  teams  all  day  Sunday,  and  here  and  there  was  seen  a 
casket  that  was  to  hold  the  remains  of  some  victim.  By  actual  count, 
four  hundred  and  seventy  teams  passed  the  residence  of  the  late  Moses 
Warner  in  one  hour  on  Sunday  and  all  going  in  one  direction.  The 
work  of  finding  the  dead  bodies  was  pushed  as  soon  as  the  waters  would 
permit,  and,  by  Sunday  morning,  forty-two  had  been  found  on  the 
Florence  meadows. 


FLORENCE    AND    THE    WAR. 

By  Joseph  15.  Whitehouse. 

After  the  lapse  of  one  third  of  a  century  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to 
recall  the  names  of  those  who  participated  in  the  stirring  scenes  which 
connected  Florence  with  the  great  civil  war.  To  learn  its  cause,  the  stu- 
dent of  history  must  turn  its  pages  far  back,  tracing  its  dark  annals 
through  many  Congressional  fights  and  bitter  discussions  over  slavery, 
our  national  sin.  Then  came  secession,  an  attempt  to  destroy  our  glo- 
rious Union,  at  which  every  patriotic  son  of  the  republic  revolted,  and 
when  the  first  call  to  arms  rung  out  like  a  death  knell,  from  the  chief  of 
our  nation,  the  response  was  quickly  made.  We  now  look  back  with 
loyal  pride  to  Company  C,  ioth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  as  the  first 
company  in  Hampshire  County  to  respond  to  the  call. 

Meetings  were  frequently  held  in  the  town  hall,  where  eager  crowds 
listened  to  speeches  filled  with  patriotic  eloquence  from  such  able  speak- 
ers as  Delano,  Maltby,  Hopkins,  Littlefield,  and  many  others.  I  well 
remember  what  emotions  thrilled  the  large  audience  when  the  first  man 
arose  in  the  bodv  of  the  house  and  said  that  he  was  going  "  to  the  front," 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


as  soon  as  he  could  get  there.  He  was  cheered  again  and  again,  and 
when  order  was  restored  Mr.  Maltby  arose  to  inquire  the  name  of  this 
first  volunteer,  saying,  "  My  friend,  you  will  find  five  hundred  dollars 
placed  to  your  credit  in  the  old  Northampton  bank."  In  one  evening 
about  forty  names  were  added  to  the  roll.  Meetings  were  held  in  vari- 
ous places  nearly  every  night,  at  which  the  events  of  the  day  were  eagerly 
discussed  by  anxious  citizens. 

It  will  seem  strange  to  relate  that  there  were  those  among  us  whose 

sympathy  was  strongly  with  the  South. 
Among  these  may  be  mentioned  several 
Southern  gentlemen,  guests  at  Dr. 
Munde's  water  cure,  who  manifested 
not  a  little  uneasiness  lest  their  views 
might  cause  them  some  trouble.  Mr. 
A.  T.  Lilly  assured  them  that  they  need 
fear  no  violence,  as  they  would  be 
treated  respectfully.  I  may  here  re- 
mark that  the  infamous  Wirz,  of  rebel 
prison  fame,  resided  in  Florence  for  a 
few  years  previous  to  the  war,  being 
employed  at  the  water  cure. 

Perhaps  there  was  nothing  more 
realistic  in  this  section  than  Company 
C's  marching  through  the  village  to  Williamsburg,  where  the  boys 
camped  for  the  night.  The  next  day  they  returned  and  were  met  in 
Florence  by  leading  citizens,  including  Messrs.  Lilly,  Littlefield,  Parsons, 
Phelps,  and  Flood,  and  escorted  by  the  Florence  brass  band  to  the  open 
space  near  the  Congregational  church,  where  a  bountiful  collation  had 
been  provided  for  them  by  the  ladies.  D.  G.  Littlefield  made  the  speech 
of  welcome,  and  after  the  boys  had  responded  with  three  cheers,  he  pre- 
sented them  with  a  box  of  choice  cigars.  Dr.  Munde's  water  cure  was 
also  visited,  where  flags  were  flying,  the  Doctor  having  been  a  colonel  in 
the  Hungarian  army.  At  the  house  of  Julius  Phelps  the  company  halted 
and  gave  three  cheers,  well  knowing  the  patriotic  spirit  of  its  inmates. 
On  the  return  to  Northampton  each  member  of  the  company  was  pre- 
sented with  a  Testament  or  Bible,  by  Dr.  Eddy,  the  gift  of  the  Sunday- 
schools  of  Northampton.  Thus  it  was  that  the  men  went  forth  with  a 
divine  trust,  knowing  that  the   "  God  of  battles  "  would  be  with  them. 

Pulpit  and  press  were  thoroughly  awake  to  the  great  question  then 
filling  the  popular  mind,  and  a  deep,  Christian  spirit  prevailed  over  all. 
Men  who  had  long  since  passed  the  meridian  of  useful  labor  cheered  on 
their  fellow  comrades.     At  that  time  I  was  superintendent  at  Littlefield, 


BOYS    HEAD— BY    C.    C.    BURLEIGH,   JR. 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES. 


199 


Parsons  &  Company's  factory.  Once-  I  had  occasion  to  leave  town  for  a 
few  hours.  Everything  was  running  smoothly  at  the  shop  when  I  went 
away — each  man  was  at  his  place.  Imagine  my  surprise,  on  returning,  to 
meet  several  of  my  employees  at  the  railroad  station.  "  What  does  this 
mean  ?  "  I  asked,  as  those  were 
not  times  of  labor  unions  and 
of  strikes.  "  We  are  going  to 
enlist  to-night,"  they  replied. 
"All  right,  boys,  go  ahead  !  "  I 
answered.  The  war  waged  on 
to  the  end,  and  when  the  re- 
maining members  of  the  com- 
pany were  expected  home, 
many  of  the  town's  people 
gathered  at  the  station  to  meet 
them.  Loud  cheers  of  welcome 
greeted  the  soldier  boys  as  they 
raised  their  tattered  flags,  and 
with  uniforms  ragged  and 
worn,  marched  up  Main  street, 
Northampton.  But  what  a  wel- 
come home  ! 

r~,  ,  ,  ...  PINE   STREET   (BRUSH    SHOP)    IRON    BRIDGE.* 

1  hese  are  but  a  tew  outlines 
of  those  soul-stirring  times.     Ah,   who  can  tell  the  price  of  peace  !     But 
let  these  lines  remind  our  surviving  comrades  that  their  service  is  not 
forgotten,  and   as  time  goes  on  our  nation  will  ever  commemorate  their 
noble  deeds  and  prompt  action  in  her  hour  of  peril. 

The  following  list  of  the  Florence  men  who  went  to  the  war  has  been  compiled  from  the 
"  History  of  the  Connecticut  Valley  in  Massachusetts.  — [Editor. 

Second  Regiment  :  Three  years. — John  Cahill,  Jr.,  Company  D  ;  mus- 
tered in,  May  25,  1861  ;   discharged  for  disability,  January  27,  1863. 

Tenth  Regiment:  Three  years.  —  Thomas  Cahill,  Company  E; 
mustered  in,  June  21,  1861  ;  discharged,  June  28,  1864.  Constant  E.  Ban- 
erat,  Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  June  21,  1861  ;  killed  in  action,  May  3, 
1863.  Charles  Hickey,  Company  E  ;  mustered  in,  June  21,  1861  ;  re-en- 
listed Company  K,  Thirty-seventh.  Henry  L.  Nichols,  Company  E  ; 
mustered  in,  June  21,  1861  ;  discharged,  July  1,  1864.  Edwin  S.  Pease, 
Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  October  18,  1861  ;  died  February  4,  1863. 

Twenty-first  Regiment  :  Three  years. — Thomas  Gilmartin,  Company 


*This  bridge  was  twisted  up  by  the  flood,  and  lodged  in  the  rear  of  the  Greenville 
cotton  factory,  now  the  braid  mill. 


200  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

G  ;  discharged  for  disability,  November  18,  1862.  Thomas  Stephens, 
Company  B  ;  mustered  in,  August  19,  1861  ;  re-enlisted,  January  1,  1864  ; 
missing,  June  17,  1864. 

Twenty-seventh  Regiment  :  Three  years. — Andrew  Cahill,  Company 
A  ;  mustered  in,  September  27,  1861  ;  died,  September  15,  1862.  John  F. 
Hannum,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  October  15,  1861  ;  re-enlisted  ;  dis- 
charged, June  26,  1865.  J.  Freeman  Nutting,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in, 
October  19,  1861  ;  re-enlisted  ;  discharged,  June  26,  1865.  Charles  H. 
Otto,  Company  A  ;  mustered  in,  September  20,  1S61  ;  discharged  for 
disability,  January  1,  1863.  Edward  W.  Pease,  Company  G  ;  mustered 
in,  October  14,  1861  ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  August  14, 
1863. 

Thirty-first  Regiment  :  T/iree years. — Daniel  Franzen,  Company  B  ; 
mustered  in,  November  26,  1861  ;   re-enlisted. 

Thirty-seventh  Regiment  :  Three  years. — Austin  J.  All  is,  Company 
G  ;  mustered  in,  August  6,  1862  ;  discharged,  June  21,  1865.  Edmund 
M.  Bartlett,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ;  sick  in  hospital 
when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  David  Congden,  Company  G  ; 
mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ;  discharged,  July  10,  1865.  James  Cramp- 
ton,  Company  K  ;  mustered  in,  August  9,  1862  ;  killed  at  Gettysburgh, 
July  13,  1863.  Eeander  F.  Dawes,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  August 
30,  1862  ;  discharged,  July  21,  1865.  Thomas  Dumfree,  Company  G  ; 
mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ;  discharged,  June  21,  1865.  Francis 
A.  Gouch,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ;  discharged  for 
disability,  November  17,  1863.  Edward  P.  Nichols,  Company  H  ;  mus- 
tered in,  August  15,  1862  ;  discharged  for  disability,  June  5,  1864.  S.  E. 
Nichols,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ;  discharged,  June 
21,  1865.  Oscar  C.  Powell,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ; 
sick  in  hospital  when  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Austin  H.  Stockwell, 
Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ;  discharged  for  disability, 
February  25,  1863.  Ira  Todd,  Company  G  ;  mustered  in,  August  30,  1862  ; 
sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out. 

Fifty-Second  Regiment  :  Nine  Months. — Edward  L.  Abercrombie, 
Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  October  2,  1862  ;  discharged,  August  14,  1863. 
Jona.  Bailey,  Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  October  2,  1862  ;  discharged, 
August  14,  1863.  Edward  E.  Graves,  Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  October 
11,  1862  ;  discharged,  August  14.  1863.  Henry  W.  Gladden,  Company  C  ; 
mustered  in,  October  11,  1S62  ;  died,  August  6,  1863.  John  Hannah, 
Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  October  2,  1862  ;  discharged,  August  14,  1863. 
Orin  Q.  Moore,  Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  October  2,  1862  ;  discharged, 
August  14,  1863.  Euther  A.  Martin,  Company  C  ;  mustered  in,  October 
2,   1862  ;  discharged    August    14,    1863.      Edward    Martin,   Company    C  ; 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES.  :oi 

mustered  in,  October  2.  1862;  discharged,  August  14,  1863.  Sidney  C. 
Smith,  Company  C;  mustered  in,  October  2,  1S62  ;  died  at  Brazier  City, 
La..  May  29,  1863. 

First   Cavalry:      Three    Veins. — William   C.    Pelton,   Company  M  ; 
mustered  in,  January  14,  1864. 


WHAT    FLORENCE    NEEDS. 
By  William  H.  Riley. 

During  the  past  twenty-five  years  Florence  lias  been  looked  upon 
very  properly  as  a  model  New  England  village.  Business  depression,  and 
the  death  and  removal  of  many  of  those  who  assisted  in  founding  and 
building  up  the  place,  however,  have  changed  the  country  village  some- 
what, and  Florence  of  1894  has  not  the  air  of  thrift  and  prosperity  which 
was  so  patent  in  the  Florence  of  twenty  years  ago.  There  is  more  of 
the  "down  at  the  heel  "  and  slipshod  feeling  in  the  very  atmosphere 
than  there  used  to  be  in  the  days  when  Messrs.  Hill,  Lilly,  Burleigh, 
Williston,  Clark,  Burr,  Otis,  Parsons,  Bond,  Bottum,  Edwards,  O'Donnell, 
and  many  others  of  notable  worth,  were  with  and  of  us.  These  were 
the  founders  and  builders  of  our  village,  and  they  have  left  us  a  goodly 
inheritance.  There  can  be  no  question  that  we  can,  and  should,  build 
well  on  the  broad  foundations  which  they  so  faithfully  laid.  In  attempt- 
ing to  answer  the  question  put  to  me  by  the  editor,  "  What  does  Flor- 
ence need  ?"  I  shall  not  assume  the  role  of  the  preacher  or  moralist  and 
assert,  what  is  no  doubt  true,  that,  were  we  all  to  live  more  temperate 
and  upright  lives,  our  village  would  have  a  sweeter  and  more  inviting 
air  about  it,  nor  am  I  going  to  say  what  men  with  philanthropic  dispo- 
sitions and  a  plethoric  pocketbook  could  do  for  the  place.  I  speak 
rather  in  a  plain,  frank  manner,  to  an  open-hearted  and  sensible  people, 
with  malice  toward  none,  and  only  a  sincere  desire  for  our  mutual  good. 

Perhaps,  first  of  all,  Florence  needs  to-day,  as  it  has  for  many  years, 
an  active  and  wide-awake  business  men's  association  or  board  of  trade. 
Books,  illustrative  of  our  growth  and  prosperity,  can  be  utilized  as 
excellent  adjuncts  in  calling  attention  to  whatever  meritorious  features 
there  may  be  to  the  place,  but  men  of  brains,  push,  and  capital  are 
essential  to  the  success  of  a  business  men's  association.  The  men  of 
such  an  organization  would  be  like  sentinels  on  the  watchtowers  look- 
ing for  anything  and  everything  that  would  add  to  our  material  pros- 
perity. Such  a  steering  committee  has  been  needed  on  several  occa- 
sions.    A   business    men's  association  could   have   saved    the  tack   shop. 


202  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

In  this  case,  as  in  others,  it  was  not  capital,  but  a  little  tact  that  was 
needed.  A  number  of  important  industries  could  have  been  saved  to 
the  place,  and  others  brought  in,  had  an  energetic  board  of  trade  been  on 
the  alert.  Then,  too,  a  permanent  association  of  this  character  would 
be  beneficial  in  other  directions.  There  is  a  natural  tendency  in  small 
places  to  formulate  religious,  political,  and  social  cliques,  which,  while 
they  are  looked  upon,  perhaps,  as  beneficial  to  individuals,  have  a  dis- 
integrating tendency  upon  the  place  at  large.  Our  village  improvement 
society  has  done  a  good  work  in  the  past,  and  its  members  are  deserving 
of  much  praise  for  their  commendable  efforts.  But  the  society's  field 
might  well  be  enlarged  so  as  to  embrace  the  village  sidewalks.  This 
lack  of  substantial  walks  is  especially  severe  upon  pedestrians  in  the 
winter  season.  Our  people  are  generous  and  willing  to  pay  their  share 
of  the  cost,  and  what  is  needed  is  that  some  strong,  effective  organization 
should  stand  back  of  this  movement  for  better  sidewalks.  Now  that  we 
have  ample  water  and  sewer  facilities,  with  our  fine  schools  and  strong 
churches,  there  is  no  reason  why  Florence  should  not  become  a  popular 
residential  portion  of  the  city  of  Northampton. 

As  patriotic  citizens,  we  need,  too,  more  enthusiasm  for  our  schools. 
Few  places  have  had  greater  blessings  in  this  direction,  and  they  should 
be  well  cherished  and  preserved.  There  is  a  movement  on  foot,  however, 
to  have  our  High  school  removed  to  the  Center.  This  should  be  stopped 
at  once.  Some  people  are  running  wild  on  this  centralization  hobby. 
The  same  arguments  which  are  brought  to  bear  for  the  purpose  of  hav- 
ing our  High  school  removed  to  Northampton,  would  apply  equally  as 
well  to  every  hamlet  in  the  county.  To  take  this  school  away  means 
that  many  of  our  boys  and  girls  will  be  deprived  of  essential  educational 
advantages,  as  their  parents  will  not  be  able  to  pay  the  requisite  addi- 
tional expenses.  Samuel  L.  Hill,  of  honored  memory,  gave  to  the 
village  a  substantial  schoolhouse  that  we  might  have  an  advanced 
course,  and  now  let  every  true  citizen  of  Florence  see  to  it  that  our  edu- 
cational advantages  are  not  diminished  or  abridged. 


THE    VILLAGE    IMPROVEMENT    SOCIETY. 
By  W.   L.   Wilcox. 

It  is  very  interesting  in  the  make-up  of  a  town  or  village  to  note  what 
has  contributed  to  its  growth,  and  the  Village  Improvement  Society  is 
largely  responsible  for  the  neatness  of  the  lawns  and  well  kept  hedges, 
and  the  streets  and   walks.     There  is  no  one  individual  who  started  the 


HISTORIC    REMINISCENCES. 


society,  but  a  number  of  them,  among  whom  the  lamented  Mary  W.  Bond 
stands  quite  conspicuous.  She  was  for  many  years  the  treasurer  of  the 
society,  and  everywhere  gave  an  encouraging  word  to  those  who  were 
property  owners,  to  make  their  places  look  as  well  as  possible.  At  first 
the  notices  to  meet  for  organization  were  not  heeded  except  by  a  few, 
who,  as  every  spring  came,  met  together  and  chose  officers  for  the  com- 
ing year,  and  appointed  committees  for  the  care  of  streets,  parks,  etc., 
but  as  time  rolled  on  those  citizens  who  were  striving  to  make  their  own 
premises  look  inviting  enthused  their  neighbors,  until  at  length  the 
effort  to  beautify  became  a  success. 

There  was  in  the  matter  of  tree  trimming  a  little  jealousy,  at  first,  on 
the  part  of  a  few,  who  seemed  to  feel 
that  it  was  encroaching  on  their  rights, 
but  that  has  all  passed  away.  The 
money  that  has  been  used  for  beauti- 
fying the  parks  was  at  first  all  obtained 
from  the  fees  of  members,  but  later  fifty 
dollars  of  the  amount  appropriated  by 
the  city  for  improvements  was  secured 
each  year  for  use  in  Florence,  so  that 
quite  a  little  work  has  been  done  on 
the  three  parks,  namely,  the  one  front- 
ing Cosmian  Hall,  the  one  fronting  the 
Congregational  church,  and  the  one  be- 
tween Locust  and  South  Main  streets. 

Among  those  who  have  been  indefatigable  in  the  work  of  this  society, 
the  names  of  George  S.  Graves  and  Henry  B.  Haven,  senior,  appear,  the 
former  in  his  care  of  the  trees  and  the  latter  in  his  interest  in  the  general 
work,  parks  in  particular.  It  was  wholly  due  to  Mr.  Haven's  efforts  that 
the  pretty  fountain  fronting  Cosmian  Hall  was  secured.  The  above 
named  gentlemen  have  been  ably  seconded  in  their  efforts  by  S.  B. 
Fuller,  ex-Mayor  Hill,  and  many  others.  The  improvement  of  our  vil- 
lage has  been  so  marked  that  strangers  who  ride  out  from  the  Center  are 
often  heard  to  comment  on  the  pretty  appearance  of  the  place. 

When  this  society  started  there  was  nothing  but  gravel  walks  here, 
and  the  first  concrete  walk  that  was  laid,  was  around  the  square,  includ- 
ing the  post  office  and  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Some  at  first 
objected  to  paying  for  this  work,  but  they  afterward  were  very  glad  the 
concrete  had  been  laid.  At  the  present  time  the  finances  of  the  society 
are  in  such  condition  that  with  the  opening  of  spring  the  same  efforts 
will  be  put  forth,  and  parks,  lawns,  street  borders,  and  trees  will  all  be 
looked  after  as  usual. 


FOUNTAIN    AT    COSMIAN    PARK. 


BIOGRAPHIES. 

SAMUEL    LAPHAM    HILL. 

PREFACE. 

T>£.    c/  c'a77i/tfl^L  cHil{    >n//iji  6y  avnmraJi  Con Aso^/i ~  -dZ&/tt  ft 
'ntsoJi/d 1l~  crft  cioj  mbd    no  n/nn  trri  ,~7>iw  SwJi~  itrf^iu  urvJ  '  i<fi£y 

tLcOtnjtfashtm  0/ cut  u^/n'  Cco?ni  uri,Vfi.<M    /he  ci^rh    {//  ~PU/S 
/ ,y//^/ iicf .  ■''(■  $ #& '  a'/uf  a vvld /f ? uvi *~ u /)o,  /fii  oO, d  "fH~~< 
,yfirffnr(  wt  -U^vld  Jou//^  onrznrnd/L-brr^s/kf  faj/raj/t 
iim   unit <K?u)f<'  /j?n     Jrk  aaiM  &  c(l  n'/n'  aJt/if  9?£a//~en^ 
■  •■rn nd  /jo??!,  iJw  A//I> a/JM'/fv-nos  opa  man,.    cA /J 

.■/'arrlffa'jfsri  mrAQ^J-6  {<T7?? 4affd~  U  cZ  f/f/A,  OfC0/t^ 

j/ftarn  .  truritwc  ji/'lf  M  J't/mo-  #$#?t  ^f'f/umrinq,. 


Sv.  Tini'lv  fa  mrirJi   J/ic  'Jr/(Jj  tfaaj^/h  &w    c/isj  A„ , 
itrzruj  ^hum^??£d  a/ w<U  60/0,77  rid fns/wd '  &r?cl-  tffijes' 


fpeaf/LoitA/ 0lr0/n>  f/y.e/m.p/^Of7U  and  a  ttaJJaw '/n  o  -yna  n 
.J-foif f/f/C/7(Ji  f- c-nrr   7/'>7/&/i  / ami -<t/?c  &V71  cfejT At //at 77/ 'J 

/tri4?<0~lt('?l  . 


V/ft 


f 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH. 


By  Arthur  G.  Hill. 
Samuel  Lapham  Hill  was  born  July  thirtieth,  1806,  in  that  part  of 
Smithfield,  R.  I.,  which  has  since  been  taken  to  form  the  town  of  Lincoln. 
Since  1763,  the  family  had  owned  the  poor,  rocky  farm  from  which  his 
father  and  mother,  Samuel  and  Olive  (Lapham)  Hill,  now  derived  their 
scanty  support.  He  was  the  sixth  Samuel  in  the  direct  line  of  descent, 
and  was  first  known  as  Samuel  Hill,  Jr.  As  each  of  the  several  Samuels 
had  also  been   known  as  "Junior"  in   early  life,  the  confusion  was  great 


206  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

when  wishing  to  refer  to  a  particular  individual.  This  led  our  sixth 
Samuel  to  adopt  Lapham  as  a  middle  name.  The  early  history  of  the 
name  Hill  is  obscure,  but  tradition  says  the  name  was  originally  Hills- 
grove,  and  that  twelve  brothers  of  that  name  came  from  England  at  an 
early  date  and  settled  near  Newburyport,  Mass.  After  a  while  by  curtail- 
ment the  name  became  Hills  and  remained  thus  for  several  generations, 
when  one  of  the  earlier  Samuels  dropped  the  "  s." 

The  returns  from  the  farm  were  extremely  limited,  and  early  in  life 
each  son  had  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  when 
calls  came  for  his  services  from  the  neighboring  thinly  settled  towns. 
The  Hill  family  were  Friends  or  Quakers,  and  the  simplicity  of  the 
dress,  tastes,  and  requirements  of  these  pure  religionists  left  impressions 
on  the  mind  of  Samuel  L.  that  remained  with  him  through  life.  Like 
most  of  the  boys  of  his  time  he  had  few  chances  for  learning,  and  attend- 
ance at  a  small  country  school  during  the  winter  terms,  for  a  few  years,  gave 
him  the  most  of  the  education  with  which  he  worked  his  way  upward. 

At  an  early  age  the  family  needed  his  services  to  aid  in  providing  the 
necessaries  of  life.  Hard  labor  on  the  farm  and  work  as  a  journeyman 
carpenter  kept  him  busy  during  his  youth  and  early  manhood.  His 
well-filled  tool-chest,  most  of  the  tools  in  which  were  made  or  put 
together  by  him,  always  remained  in  his  possession,  and  in  later  years 
was  often  opened,  and  the  tools  used  with  the  pleasure  and  satisfaction 
that  only  his  early  associations  with  them  could  have  given  him. 

When  about  eighteen  years  of  age  his  desire  for  a  better  education 
led  him  to  save  from  his  earnings  enough  to  enable  him  to  attend  for  a 
few  months  the  well  known  Leicester  Academy,  in  Worcester  County, 
Mass.  Before  he  had  attained  his  majority  he  purchased  the  remainder 
of  his  time  from  his  father  and  married  Miss  Louisa  Chace,  of  Smithfield. 
As  Miss  Chace  was  not  a  member  of  the  society  of  Friends,  he  suffered 
expulsion  from  his  birthright  membership  in  the  church.  He,  however, 
always  retained  his  early  reverent  spirit,  and,  though  his  religious  ideas 
grew  and  broadened  with  his  expanding  life,  deep  reverence  and  humility 
were  marked  traits  in  his  character.  Feeling  a  necessity  to  do  some- 
thing in  the  higher  work,  soon  after  he  became  an  active  member  and 
worker  in  the  Baptist  church. 

During  his  early  manhood  he  worked  at  his  carpenter's  trade,  taught 
village  schools  and  writing  classes  and  kept  a  small  country  store,  all  in 
the  vicinity  of  his  native  place.  In  1830  he  became  an  under  overseer  in  a 
cotton  factory  and  soon  thereafter  removed  to  Willimantic,  where  he 
became  respectively  overseer,  superintendent,  and  manager  of  a  cotton 
factory,  and  thus  made  his  beginning  in  his  long  and  successful  career 
as  a  leader  in  manufacturing  industries. 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


207 


In  Willimantic  he  became  prominent  in  church  and  village  work  and 
did  much  to  encourage  his  associates  and  workmen  to  lead  better  and 
purer  lives.  The  spoken  and  written  words  of  Garrison,  Phillips,  Bur- 
leigh, Pillsbury,  Whittier,  and  other  mighty  teachers  of  "  Whatsoever  ye 
would  that  men  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them,"  appealed 
forcibly  to  him.  Me  became  deeply  in  sympathy  with  the  enslaved 
colored  people  and  endeavored  to 
get  the  Baptist  society  in  which 
he  was  a  popular  deacon  to  place 
itself  on  the  side  of  the  down- 
trodden. As  an  officer  of  the 
church  he  opened  its  doors  to  the 
gifted  Wendell  Phillips.  The 
anti-slavery  lecture  was  disturbed 
and  broken  up,  and  the  auditors 
driven  from  the  church  under  a 
shower  of  rotten  eggs,  by  a  church 
mob  headed  by  a  brother  deacon. 
This  treatment,  so  foreign  to  the 
professions  of  his  associates,  so 
saddened  and  disheartened  Mr. 
Hill  in  his  church  work,  that  he 
formally  withdrew  from  the  Bap- 
tist society  and  never  again  al* 
lowed  his  great  mind  and  heart  to 
be  trammeled  by  a  church  creed, 
although  his  ideals  were  never 
lowered  and  his  life  was  forever 
devoted  to  the  uplifting  of  his 
brother  man. 

He  was  an  earnest  reader  of 
the  progressive  thoughts  of  the  time  and  became  familiar  with  the  great 
men  that  were  molding  the  age.  Their  words  were  incentives  to  him 
for  higher  and  greater  work.  About  this  time  cooperative  and  com- 
munistic ideas  were  being  advanced  and  many  writers  advocating  them. 
Mr.  Hill  became  an  earnest  believer  in  the  theory  of  these  twin  ideas. 
Although  all  attempts  at  making  them  practical  had  failed,  he  had  faith 
that  the  times  were  propitious  for  another  and  more  successful  attempt 
at  harmonizing  humanity.  For  some  time  he  had  been  in  correspond- 
ence with  others  equally  convinced  of  the  benefit  of  a  communistic  society, 
and  with  the  express  purpose  of  forming  one  Mr.  Hill  moved  to  Flor- 
ence from  Willimantic  in   the  spring  of   1841.      In   the  following  year  he 


SAMUEL  I..    HILL. 
From  Anibrotype  taken  about   1850. 


208 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


cast  in  his  lot  with  others  to  organize  the  "  Northampton  Association  of 
Education  and  Industry."  Mr.  Hill,  from  his  experience,  thoughtful- 
ness,  and  zeal,  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  instructive  and  elevating  work 
of  the  association,  and  was  pre-eminently  one  of  its  great  leaders.  The 
branches  of  manufacturing  that  took  his  time  and  attention  beyond 
what  was  required  of  him  as  treasurer  were  the  silk  industry,  the  saw- 
mills, and  the  gristmills,  all  of  which  proved  moderately  successful. 

Upon  the  breaking  up  of  the  association,  Mr.  Hill  interested  his 
brother-in-law,  Edwin  Eaton,  of  Chaplin,  Conn.,  in  joining  him  in  the 
purchase  of  the  flat  table-lands  which  form  the  center  of  Florence.  This 
land  was  plotted,  streets  laid  out,  building  lots  sold  as  they  were  needed 
by  the  gradually  increasing  population,  and  financial  assistance  given  to 
the  worthy  settler,  to  enable  him  to  make  a  home  of  his  own.  It  was  a 
strong  desire  of  Mr.  Hill  that  every  man  of  family  should   own  his  little 

home  place,  and  his  influence 

was  thus  extended.  He  had 
great  pleasure  in  seeing  the 
growing  number  of  houses 
that  owed  an  existence  to  his 
encouraging  words  and  sym- 
pathetic money  loans.  The 
faithfulness  with  which  the 
loans  were  regularly  paid  in 
the  small  amounts,  from  time 
to  time,  as  they  could  be 
saved  for  this  purpose,  kept 
alive  in  him  his  great  faith  in 
the  people. 

When  the  Community  dis- 
solved he  continued  the  silk 
business,  but  soon  (1850)  had 
his  feet  swept  from  under  him 
by  the  failure  of  a  brother 
manufacturer,  whom  he  had  assisted,  and  on  whose  notes  he  was  an 
indorser.  He  carefully  looked  his  affairs  over,  made  his  estimates  and 
decided  that  under  ordinary  circumstances,  by  the  strictest  economy,  he 
would  be  able,  if  allowed  to  continue,  to  pay  all  his  indebtedness  in  a 
very  few  years.  He  visited  his  creditors,  obtained  a  five  years  extension 
of  time  in  which  to  pay  them,  and  commenced  anew  a  hard,  self-denying, 
upward  climb.  Mr.  Samuel  L.  Hinckley,  a  wealthy  resident  of  North- 
ampton, having  confidence  in  him,  furnished  working  capital  and  the 
firm  of  Hill  &  Hinckley  became   favorably  known  in  the  business  world. 


HILL    RESIDENCE    IN    I 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


209 


H   , 


it, 


Within  five  years,  by  his  indomitable  energy,  perseverance,  and  frugality, 
he  paid  off,  one  by  one,  eacli  creditor.  The  chest  of  tea  presented  to  him 
by  the  last  creditor,  a  New  York  raw  silk  importer  who  held  the  last  of  the 
old  obligations,  became  the  symbol  to  him  of  the  completion  of  a  long  con- 
test in  which  he  had  proved  a  conqueror.  Desiring  to  extend  the  silk 
business,  more  capital  was  raised,  several  parties  admitted,  and  the 
"  Nonotuck  Silk  Company  " 
incorporated.  Samuel  L . 
Hinckley  was  its  first  presi- 
dent, and  Samuel  L.  Hill  its 
treasurer  and  manager. 

Mr.  Hill's  mind,  hands, 
money,  and  influence  became 
interested  in  everything  that 
pertained  to  Florence  and  the 
public  good  throughout  North- 
ampton. He  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  school  matters.  On 
many  occasions  he  contributed 
largely  to  the  school  funds. 
School  subjects  were  almost 
the  only  ones  that  he  allowed 
himself  to  speak  upon  in  the 
town  meetings,  as  he  dreaded 
the  ordeal  of  appearing  before 
the  people  as  a  speaker. 
Though  a  broad  and  deep 
thinker  his  modest  utterances 
embarrassed  him.  When  pos- 
sible he  would  put  his  thoughts  on  paper  and  read  them  in  preference  to 
off-hand  arguments.  For  many  years  he  was  on  the  school  board,  but 
would  accept  no  other  office  in  the  town  or  state,  although  frequently 
urged  to  be  a  candidate  for  representative.  On  two  occasions  he  was 
elected  selectman,  against  his  wishes,  and  promptly  declined  the  office. 

In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  was  deeply  considering  what  his  final 
contribution  to  the  school  interests  of  the  town  should  be.  He  inter- 
viewed many  educated  persons  and  carefully  looked  into  the  educational 
wants  of  the  times.  From  the  many  theories  and  experiments  with 
which  he  had  become  acquainted,  he  thought  the  following  of  great 
importance  :  A  thoroughly  equipped  college  for  scientific  research  ;  an 
institute  in  which  physical  culture  should  accompany  a  high  literary 
curriculum  ;  an  agricultural  college  ;  a  manual  training  school,  and  a 
14 


SAMUEL    LAPHA.M    HILL. 
From  Photograph  taken  186S. 


i<&****^6/  <£.  s^too^^ 


2IO  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

trades  school,  where  young  people  should  be  taught  to  work  with  their 
hands  as  well  as  with  their  minds.  The  college  for  scientific  research  he 
at  length  dropped  from  his  list,  thinking  that  the  schools  already  exist- 
ing afforded  the  needed  opportunity  in  this  direction.  He  also  found 
that  the  amount  required  to  establish  such  a  college  would  be  more  than 
he  could  command.  The  physical  culture  school  he  left  for  some  one  else 
to  develop,  although  he  thought  it  was  much  needed.     He  foresaw  that 

the  state  agricultural  col- 
lege, and  the  prospective 
early  use  of  the  Oliver 
Smith  agricultural  fund, 
would  render  another 
school  of  this  kind  in  Western  Massachusetts  unnecessary.  Manual 
training  and  education  in  trades  were  favorite  ideas  with  him  to  the  last, 
but  the  various  attempts  to  embody  them  in  a  systematic  course  had 
not  culminated  in  complete  success  anywhere.  He  therefore  referred 
this  subject  to  his  trustees,  to  whom  he  addressed  a  communication  ask- 
ing them  to  assist  in  the  development  of  any  system  in  this  line  that 
should  seem  practicable. 

In  his  final  conclusion  he  turned  to  the  kindergarten  method  of 
Friedrich  Froebel,  as  a  more  natural  beginning  for  a  child,  than  the 
system  in  vogue.  He  gave  this  method  a  practical  test  for  a  few  years 
under  his  own  observation,  and  that  of  persons  in  whose  judgment  he 
had  confidence.     Later  he  founded  the  Florence  kindergarten. 

Mr.  Hill,  as  has  been  mentioned,  was  a  birthright  member  of  the 
Society  of  Friends.  He  afterwards  adopted  the  doctrines,  ordinances, 
and  covenants  of  the  Baptist  faith.  The  last  forty  years  of  his  life 
broadened  his  views  until  the  brotherhood  of  man  and  his  intimate  rela- 
tion with  the  pervading  Spirit  of  the  universe  were  clearly  and  simply 
defined  in  his  mind  and  heart. 

He  was  one  of  the  originators  and  most  generous  supporters  of  the 
Free  Congregational  Society,  and  frequently  aided  all  religious  ideas 
that  seemed  to  him  broad  enough  for  the  needs  of  the  people.  His  ear- 
nestness in  all  things  made  him  so  devoted  to  his  business  that  he  always 
carried  his  cares  about  with  him.  This  finally  reacted  upon  his  health, 
and,  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life,  caused  a  vigorous  struggle  against 
the  encroaching  disease,  a  struggle  that  occasionally  care  and  change  of 
climate  seemed  to  affect,  but  in  which  disease  finally  came  off  the  victor. 
The  brave,  conscientious  man  yielded  up  his  life  calmly  and  philosoph- 
ically, without  a  murmur  or  dread  of  the  future,  at  Citronelle,  Alabama, 
December  thirteenth,  1882,  aged  seventy-six  years. 

Upon  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  he   remained  for  a  while  a  widower, 


BIOGRAPHIES.  211 

but  finally  married  Roxana  Maria  Gaylord  of  Ashford,  Conn.  She  died 
eight  years  after  the  marriage.  Two  daughters  and  a  son  survived  him, 
all  living  in  the  village  of  Florence. 

His  life  and  career  make  an  interesting  study,  and  his  record  is  that 
of  a  strong,  earnest  thinking,  humane  man. 


CHARLES    C.    BURLEIGH. 

By   Seth   Hunt. 

As  a  logical  thinker  and  an  eloquent  public  speaker,  Charles  C. 
Burleigh  probably  surpassed  any  one  that  ever  lived  in  Northampton. 
Few  men,  anywhere,  could  so 
readily  and  ablv  extemporize  in 
a  public  speech  as  that  brave 
champion  of  civil  and  religious 
freedom.  Some  of  his  most 
brilliant  and  effective  speeches 
were  made  on  the  spur  of  the 
moment.  In  discussing  any  ques- 
tion he  was  noted  for  stating 
the  strongest  points  of  his  op- 
ponents, and  effectually  answer- 
ing them,  so  that  when  he  had 
finished  it  seemed  that  nothing 
more  could  be  said.  The  argu- 
ments on  both  sides  would  be  ex- 
hausted. His  diction  was  clear 
and  finished. 

Charles  C.  Burleigh  was  born 
at  Plainfield,  Conn.,  November 
third,  1810,  and  died  at  Florence, 
Mass.,  June  thirteenth,  1878.  He 
was  from  a  family  of  marked 
mental  gifts.  His  brothers  were 
all  noted  for  their  talents.     His 

CHARLES   C.    BURLEIGH. 

father  was  a  graduate  of    Vale 

College,  and  became  distinguished  as  a  teacher  of  Plainfield  academy. 
His  mother,  Lydia  Bradford,  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Gov.  William 
Bradford,  one  of  the  Mayflower  Pilgrims.  Governor  Bradford's  quali- 
ties as  a  dissenter,  a  promoter  of   peace  and  a  lover  of  liberty  seemed  to 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


have  reappeared  in  Charles  C  Burleigh,  to  be  manifested  under  different 
circumstances,  but  still  by  one  and  the  same  spirit  as  that  which  brought 
Governor  Bradford  to  the  shores  of  Plymouth. 

At  the  time  of  the  persecution  of  Prudence  Crandall  for  admitting  a 
colored  girl  into  her  school  at  Canterbury,  Conn.,  which  persecution  was 
followed  by  the  enactment  of  the  unconstitutional  "  Black  Law"  of  the 
state,  Samuel  J.  May,  aided  by  Arthur  Tappan,  had  decided  to  publish  a 
paper  to  be  devoted  to  the  defense  of  human    rights  in  general,  and    the 

Canterbury  school  in  particular.  Having 
seen  an  admirable  article  that  was  written 
by  Charles  C.  Burleigh,  and  heard  him 
commended  as  a  young  man  of  great  prom- 
ise ;  and  having  listened  to  an  able  speech 
from  him,  Mr.  May  decided  that  Charles 
C.  Burleigh  was  the  man  for  editor  of  the 
new  paper.  Mr.  May  says  :  "  I  drove  over 
to  Plainfield,  from  Brooklyn,  Conn.  ;  Mr. 
Burleigh  was  living  with  his  parents  and 
helping  them  carry  on  their  farm,  while 
pursuing  as  he  could  his  studies  prepara- 
tory to  the  profession  of  a  lawyer.  It  was 
Friday  of  the  week,  in  the  midst  of  haying 
time.  I  was  told  at  the  house  that  he  was 
in  the  field  as  busy  as  he  could  be.  Never- 
theless,   I    insisted   that    mv  business    with 

CHARLES    C.    BURLEIGH,     IR.,    ARTIST.      .    .  .  i"  i  •  o 

him  was  more  important  than  haying,  bo 
he  was  sent  for,  and  in  due  time  appeared.  Like  other  sensible  men  at 
the  hard,  hot  work  of  haying,  he  was  not  attired  in  his  Sunday  clothes, 
but  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  with  pants  the  worse  for  wear  ;  and  although  he 
then  believed  in  shaving  no  razor  had  touched  his  beard  since  the  first 
day  of  the  week.  Nevertheless,  I  do  not  believe  that  Samuel,  of  old,  saw 
in  the  ruddy  son  of  Jesse,  as  he  came  up  from  the  sheepfold,  the  man 
whom  the  Lord  would  have  him  anoint,  more  clearly  than  I  saw  in  C.  C. 
Burleigh  the  man  whom  I  should  choose  to  be  my  assistant  in  that 
emergency.  So  soon  as  I  had  told  him  what  I  wanted  of  him,  his  eye 
kindled  as  if  eager  for  the  conflict.  We  made  an  arrangement  to  supply 
his  place  on  his  father's  farm,  and  he  engaged  to  come  to  me  early  the 
following  week.  He  then  put  on  the  harness  of  a  soldier  in  the  good 
fight  for  equal,  impartial  liberty  *  *  nor  are  there  many,  if  any,  of 
the  anti-slavery  warriors  who  have  done  more  or  better  service  than  Mr. 
Burleigh." 

Mr.  Burleigh  had  early  fixed   upon  the  legal   profession  for  his  life 


BIOGRAPHIES.  213 

vocation.  When  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Windham  County,  Conn., 
in  January,  1835,  ms  examiners  were  surprised  at  the  extent  of  Ids 
acquirements,  and  he  was  pronounced  the  best  prepared  candidate  that 
had  been  admitted  to  the  bar  in  that  county  within  the  memory  of  those 
then  practicing  there.  But,  notwithstanding-  all  his  bright  prospects  of 
success  and  fame  in  his  chosen  profession,  when  he  was  asked  to  engage 
as  lecturer  in  the  anti-slavery  cause,  and  while  fully  aware  of  the  hard- 
ships and  persecutions  that  would  befall  him,  he  replied  :  "  This  is  not 
what  I  expected  or  intended,  but  it  is  what  I  ought  to  do  ;  I  will  accept 
the  invitation. 

Although  a  peace  man,  he  was  fearless  and  self-possessed  in  times  of 
danger.  He  stood  by  William  Lloyd  Garrison  and  gave  him  timely  aid 
when  Mr.  Garrison's  life  was  in  great  peril  from  the  great  Boston  mob. 
Mr.  Burleigh  himself  was  many  times  exposed  to  personal  injuries  by  his 
pro-slavery  enemies.  Once  while  speaking  in  an  anti-slavery  meeting,  a 
bad  egg,  hurled  by  an  enemy,  struck  Mr.  Burleigh  on  the  forehead. 
Coolly  wiping  his  brow,  he  said  :  "  I  always  thought  that  pro-slavery 
arguments  were  unsound." 

Mr.  Burleigh  was  the  first  resident  speaker  of  the  Free  Congregational 
Society  of  Florence.  He  held  the  office  for  ten  years,  and  had  often 
addressed  Sunday  meetings  in  Florence  before  the  organization  of  that 
society. 

His  personal  appearance  was  striking.  He  had  a  fine,  animated 
countenance,  mirroring  an  active  mind  and  a  great  soul.  He  was  tall 
and  his  frame  bore  the  impress  of  great  physical  strength  and  endurance. 
Of  no  one  could  it  be  more  truthfully  said,  that  "  he  had  the  courage  of 
his  convictions."  What  he  deemed  proper  to  do,  whether  in  matters  of 
dress,  of  personal  appearance  and  habits,  or  in  regard  to  political,  social, 
or  religious  concerns,  he  unhesitatingly  carried  out,  however  strange 
his  course  might  appear  to  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  I 
remember  his  wearing  a  full  beard,  long  before  such  a  practice  was  con- 
sidered becoming  or  proper.      He  also  wore  his  hair  long  and  in  ringlets. 

His  religious  views  were,  in  some  respects,  similar  to  those  held  by 
Unitarians.  Probably  few  professing  Christians  have  imitated  more 
nearlv  than  he  did,  the  life  of  Jesus  as  recorded  in  the  New  Testament. 
He  thoroughly  believed,  and,  as  occasion  demanded,  ably  defended  the 
broad  principles  of  religious  freedom  laid  down  in  the  platform  of  the 
Free  Congregational  Society  of  Florence. 

Mr.  Burleigh's  lamentable  death  was  caused  by  his  being  struck  by  a 
railroad  train  at  Florence,  while  he  was  hurrying  to  the  station  to  post 
a  letter.  The  funeral  services  were  held  in  Cosmian  Hall  and  were 
attended   by  a  large   concourse  of   people.       Addresses   were   made  by 


2  14 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


William  Lloyd  Garrison,  Samuel  May,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Powell  Bond,  and 
Rev.  E.  G.  Cobb,  pastor  of  the  Orthodox  church  at  Florence.  The 
remains  were  buried  in  the  old  Florence  cemetery,  by  the  side  of  Mr. 
Burleigh's  beloved  and  devoted  wife,  whose  rare  mental  gifts  and  brave 
consecration  to  reformatory  movements  made  her  a  worthy  helpmate. 
As  their  joint  epitaph  records,  they  were  "  truly  one  in  work  and  spirit." 


DANIEL    GREENE    LITTLEFIELD. 

By  the  Editor. 

Daniel  Greene  Littlefield  was  born  in  North  Kingstown,  R.  I., 
November  twentv-third,  1822.  He  was  the  third  son  of  the  family  of 
eleven  children  of  John  and  Deborah  (Himes)  Littlefield.  Left  to  the 
sole  care  of  their  mother,  her  children  were  brought  up  according  to  the 

accepted  New  England  idea  of  youth- 
ful training.  At  the  age  of  eight, 
Daniel  went  to  work  in  the  Jackson 
cotton  factory  in  the  town  of  Scitu- 
ate,  where  his  parents  then  resided. 
Even  at  this  tender  age  he  gave  evi- 
dence of  those  sterling  qualities  that 
were  so  characteristic  of  him  in  his 
maturer  years.  His  fidelity  and  de- 
termination to  master  every  detail  of 
the  business  were  marked.  For  over 
twenty  years  he  labored  in  cotton  and 
woolen  mills,  and  machine  shops,  and 
made  himself  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  whatever  business  he  was  en- 
gaged in  and  with  whatever  machine 
he   worked  upon.      Naturally  of  a  me- 

DANIEL   GREENE    LITTLEFIELD.  ...  ,      .  .  r         .       , 

chanical  and  inventive  turn  ot  mind, 
his  early  training  and  experience  proved  of  great  value  to  him  in  after 
years.  From  bobbin  boy  he  became  secondhand,  overseer,  and  superin- 
tendent. In  1846  he  came  to  Florence,  and  assisted  in  starting  the  cot- 
ton mill,  a  few  months  before  the  dissolution  of  the  Community. 

Leaving  Florence  he  went  to  Northampton  and  engaged  in  the  dry 
goods  business.  Two  years  later,  his  store  having  been  destroyed  by 
fire,  he  went  to  Haydenville  and  assisted  in  establishing  a  cotton  mill  for 
Hayden  &  Sanders.     After  two  years  in  this   mill,  he  became  proprietor 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


2I5 


of  a  '•  country  variety  store  "  in  Haydenville,  and  later  traveling  salesman 
for  Ilayden  &  Sanders. 

About  1854  he  came  to  Florence  and  was  employed  as  traveling 
salesman  and  business  manager  by  A.  P.  Critchlow  &  Company.  Shortly 
after  he  became  a  partner  in  the  business,  Mr.  Critchlow  retiring,  and 
the  name  was  changed  to  Littlefield,  Parsons  &  Co.  This  firm  continued 
business  until  1866,  when  the  Florence  Manufacturing  Company  was 
formed,  with  Mr.  Littlefield  as  president. 

At  this  time  he  was  also  interested  with  S.  L.  Hill  and  Hiram  Wells, 
in  the  manufacture  of  pumps  and  grip  wrenches.  The  death,  in  1859,  of 
Mr.  Wells,  by  the  boiler  explosion,  ended  the  pump  business,  and  as  the 
Florence  sewing  ma- 
chine was  just  material- 
izing, Mr.  Littlefield 
turned  his  energies  in 
that  direction.  He  was 
one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Florence  Sewing  Ma- 
chine Company,  and,  on 
the  retirement  of  Mr. 
Hill  from  the  business, 
he  became  its  president, 
which  position  he  held 
up  to  the  time  of  his 
death  in  May,  1891. 

A  friend  of  his,  a  few 
years  ago,  accompanied 
him  to   this   place   when 

he  came  on  a  business  trip  to  inspect  the  various  establishments  wherein 
he  was  interested,  and  heard  this  testimony  volunteered  by  some  of  his 
associates  :  "Mr.  Littlefield  is  never  satisfied  with  any  device  he  employs 
till  he  thoroughly  understands  its  workings,  and  contrives  modes  to 
increase  its  effectiveness." 

In  1 861  he  represented  Northampton  in  the  lower  house  of  the  legis- 
lature, and  was  re-elected  the  following  year.  In  March,  1889,  he  was  the 
nominee  of  the  Republican  party  of  Rhode  Island  for  lieutenant  governor, 
and,  there  being  no  election  by  the  people,  he  was  elected  by  the  General 

Assembly. 

In  1863,  at  the  repeated  solicitation  of  gentlemen  representing  the 
Pawtucket  Hair  Cloth  Company,  Mr.  Littlefield  went  to  Pawtucket  to 
undertake  the  work  of  perfecting  the  complex  machinery  of  that  com- 
pany.    He  made  arrangements  to  remain  one  year.     He  remained  there 


BY   THE   OLD    RAIL   FENCE. 


2l6  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

permanently.  He  retained  his  interest  in  several  manufactories  in  Flor- 
ence, which  were  mainly  of  his  own  creation.  In  1865  he  visited  Europe 
in  the  interests  of  the  Pawtucket  Hair  Cloth  Company,  and  repeated  the 
trip  in  the  years  1866,  1868,  1871,  and  1872,  visiting  all  the  principal 
countries  of  Europe.  The  valuable  information  he  obtained  for  that 
company  made  the  concern  the  only  complete  plant  of  its  kind  in  the 
world. 

In  1878  he  went  to  France  as  honorary  commissioner  from  Rhode 
Island  to  the  Paris  exposition.  Here  his  reputation  had  preceded  him, 
and  immediately  upon  his  arrival  he  was  appointed  an  American  juror  of 
small  and  fine  machinery,  and  mechanism  of  all  nations.  His  work  on 
this  board  was  of  much  value  to  American  inventors. 

"  Intensely  and  practically  one  of  our  self-made  business  men  and  a 
successful  manufacturer,  Mr.  Littlefield  was  essentially  a  man  of  the 
people,  modest  and  unassuming,  at  all  times  approachable,  and  a  cour- 
teous listener."  At  home  as  well  as  abroad  honors  came  to  him  unsought. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  president  of  no  less  than  seven  corpora- 
tions. "He  was  a  skillful  organizer  and  a  wise  arbitrator,  and  his  decis- 
ions in  important  cases  where  his  judgment  and  counsel  were  sought 
were  always  sound  and  acceptable  to  all  concerned." 

Mr.  Littlefield  was  a  man  of  magnificent  physical  proportions.  Stand- 
ing more  than  six  feet  in  height,  his  commanding  presence  was  always 
permeated  with  genuine  kindliness  of  heart  that  inspired  the  respect  and 
admiration  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  was  twice  married. 
His  second  wife  and  a  son  and  daughter  survive  him.  His  mother,  a 
woman  of  sterling  worth,  died  in  January,  1891,  at  the  ripe  age  of  ninety- 
three  years.  Mr.  Littlefield  was  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  Pawtucket 
Congregational  Society,  and  was  a  liberal  provider  for  the  support  of 
church  and  society. 

It  may  seem  to  some  that  Mr.  Littlefield  devoted  his  life  to  work  out- 
side our  village.  What  he  did  for  Florence  should  be  reckoned  by  the 
prosperity  of  our  manufacturing  concerns,  which  have  known  his  guid- 
ance, and  have  looked  to  him  for  support. 


ALFRED    THEODORE    LILLY. 

From  the  "Memorial." 
Alfred  Theodore  Lilly  was  born  in   Mansfield,  Connecticut,  April 
fifteenth,  1813.      His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Jerusha  Swift. 

His    father,  Alfred   Lilly,  was  a   blacksmith,  and   made    screw  augers 


BIOGR  U'lllKs. 


21  7 


and  auger  bits,  and  later  manufactured  silk  at    Mansfield.     The  company 
failed  in  1S3S,  Mr.  Lilly  losing  all  his  property. 

Alfred  Theodore  attended  the  summer  and  winter  terms  of  the  dis- 
trict school  until  he  was  twelve  years  old,  and  the  winter  terms  until  he 
was  seventeen.  When  he  ceased  to  attend  school  he  worked  for  his 
father  at  auger  and  bit  making  until  he  was  twenty-one.  Then  In- 
worked  for  his  father  as  a  journeyman  about  a  year,  until  the  failure, 
when  the  burden  of  supporting  the  family  fell  upon  his  shoulders.  He 
continued  the  auger  and  bit 
business,  borrowed  a  small 
sum  of  money,  and  for  fifteen 
years  applied  himself  closely 
to  this  business.  No  defective 
work  was  allowed  to  leave 
the  shop  ;  he  was  punctual  in 
all  his  affairs  no  matter  how 
trivial  ;  and  he  gained  at  once 
a  reputation  for  integrity  from 
all  who  knew  him. 

His  health  failed,  however, 
and  in  1850  he  was  obliged  to 
give  up  the  business.  He  be- 
came superintendent  for  one 
year  of  the  Rixford  <$:  Butler 
Silk  Manufacturing  Compa- 
ny, at  Mansfield  Center,  and 
then  accepted  a  position  as 
traveling  salesman  for  a  Mans- 
field silk  manufacturer.  Af- 
ter this  he  went  to  Providence, 
R.  I.,  and  opened  a  retail 
grocery  store,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1853,  when  he  came 
to  Florence,  as  a  superintendent  of  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Company,  remain- 
ing with  the  company  until  his  health  failed,  February  1,  1887.  After  a 
few  years,  Mr.  Hill  asked  Mr.  Lilly  to  assist  as  treasurer  and  general 
manager  of  the  company  ;  he  purchased  a  small  interest  in  the  business 
and  was  allowed  to  pay  for  it  as  he  was  able.  In  1865  Mr.  Hill  appointed 
him  acting  treasurer,  and  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  company  in 
1872. 

Mr.  Lilly  did  not  acquire  wealth  as  soon  as  he  came  to  Florence. 
During  the  early  part  of  the  time  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  meet  his 
obligations  ;  his  own  family,  his  father,  mother,  and  sisters  receiving  his 


ALFRED   THEODORE    LILLY. 


2  l8 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


assistance.      He  did   a   great   deal    more   than   is    publicly  known   to   aid 
others  in  various  ways. 

This  desire  to  assist  others  led  him  to  become  a  stockholder  and 
director  in  the  Florence  Furniture  Company  in  1873.  The  company  was 
not  successful  the  first  year,  and  it  was 'due  to  Mr.  Lilly,  and  a  few 
others,  that  it  became  prosperous.  Mr.  Lilly  was  its  president  from  the 
time  of  its  organization  to  his  death. 

He  was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  Florence  Savings 
Bank,  and  always  took  an  active  interest  in  the  public  business  of  the 
town  ;  voted  at  all  elections,  but  always  declined  public  office.  In  all 
his  transactions  he  was  thorough,  punctual,  and  always  reliable.  From 
boyhood  he  was  strictly  temperate,  using  neither  tobacco  nor  intoxi- 
cating liquor  in  any  form. 

In  1859  Mr.  Lilly  assisted  in  establishing  the  evening  schools  here,  and 

in  1869  served  on  the 
committee  appointed 
to  erect  the  Memo- 
rial Hall  and  Libra- 
ry, in  Northampton. 
He  was  a  charter 
member  of  the  Free 
Congregational  So- 
ciety, and,  when  this 
society  built  Cos- 
mian  Hall,  he  gave 
ten  thousand  dollars 
towards  the  building, 
and  during  his  life 
contributed  gener- 
ously to  its  support. 
In  his  will  he  pro- 
vided for  an  annual 
payment  to  the  so- 
ciety. He  was  a  trustee  of  the  Florence  kindergarten,  and  at  his  death 
left  all  his  estate  to  these  trustees  to  be  used  for  educational  purposes. 

In  1884  Mr.  Lilly  learned  that  Smith  College  needed  a  building  for 
scientific  purposes,  and,  a  year  later,  finding  that  President  Seelye  had 
not  obtained  the  necessary  money  for  the  erection  of  a  science  building, 
he  furnished  the  desired  amount.  In  1886  Lilly  Hall  of  Science,  a  fine 
structure,  suitable  for  the  needs  of  the  college,  was  dedicated  with  appro- 
priate exercises. 

No  biographical  sketch  of  Mr.  Lilly  would  be  complete  without  more 


LILLY    DRUM    CORPS. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  219 

than  an  incidental  reference  to  his  home  and  domestic  life.  He  was 
married  at  Hebron,  Conn.,  in  1838,  to  Lucy  Maria  Crane,  daughter  of 
Isaac  and  Constantia  (Young)  Crane  of  that  town.  Mrs.  Lilly  was  a 
quiet,  thoughtful,  kind-hearted  woman,  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  her.  To  his  friends,  Mr.  Lilly  often  spoke  of  the  cheerfulness  with 
which  she  practiced  economy  and  self-denial  in  their  early  married  life 
that  he  might  aid  his  father  and  mother,  and  often  remarked  that  he 
owed  his  prosperity  to  his  wife.  This  home  was  to  him  of  the  utmost 
importance.  He  could  not  have  applied  himself  so  continually  to  the 
active,  responsible  work  had  it  not  been  for  the  rest  and  recreation  of 
his  home,  and  those  who  had  claims  on  his  hospitality  remarked  that  it 
was  a  delight  to  notice  the  cheerfulness  and  consideration  which  he 
showed  for  their  comfort  and  enjoyment.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lilly  had  no 
children.  Mrs.  Mary  Valentine  Ross  had  her  home  with  them  for  a 
number  of  years  before  her  marriage.  Mrs.  Ross's  children  were  a  great 
comfort  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lilly  in  their  declining  years.  Mrs.  Lilly  died 
in  1886.  After  this  Mr.  Lilly  seemed  to  be  alone.  He  tried  to  be  cheer- 
ful and  bear  the  sorrow  without  outward  manifestations,  but  to  his  inti- 
mate friends  he  sometimes  disclosed  the  great  grief  which  oppressed 
him. 

Early  in  the  fall  of  1888,  he  arranged  for  the  erection  of  the  library 
building  which  bears  his  name,  giving  thirteen  thousand  dollars  for  the 
purpose,  and  the  same  season  he  provided  by  his  will  for  the  disposition 
of   his  estate  at  his  death. 

Thus,  among  his  friends,  surrounded  by  such  recognitions  of  his  use- 
ful life,  his  strength  gradually  failed  until  the  end  came,  January  twenty- 
first,  1890. 


ALFRED  P.  CRITCHLOW. 
By  George  P.  Warner. 

Alfred  P.  Critchlow  was  born  in  Nottingham,  Eng.,  in  1813.  His 
father  was  a  silk  stocking  weaver.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  a  lad 
of  nine  years.  At  fourteen,  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  die  sinker,  and 
served  the  required  seven  years'  apprenticeship.  On  becoming  of  age, 
he  engaged  in  the  horn  button  business  in  Birmingham,  and  was  carry- 
ing it  on  successfully,  when,  in  1S43,  he  met  the  late  Josiah  Hayden,  who 
induced  him  to  emigrate,  and  start  the  manufacture  of  horn  buttons  in 
Haydenville.  At  this  time  his  family  consisted  of  his  wife  and  two  small 
children,  and    their   experiences   during   the    six    weeks'  trip   across    the 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


stormy  Atlantic  in  a  sailing  vessel  were  ever  after  the  subject  of  frequent 
joking  and  merriment  by  Mr.  Critchlow. 

He  made  buttons  for  the  Haydens  for  two  or  three  years,  and  then 
moved  to  Florence,  and  commenced  manufacturing  wood  buttons,  mak- 
ing them  from  the  common  wild  laurel  found  in  the  woods.  Soon  he 
invented  a  composition  suitable  for  making  buttons,  and  machinery  and 

appliances  for  its  proper  manipulation, 
and  began  manufacturing  buttons  and 
daguerreotype  cases.  He  made  of  this 
business  a  decided  success,  giving  it 
untiring  personal  attention  ;  running 
the  mill  night  and  day,  much  of  the 
time  with  two  sets  of  hands,  and  fre- 
quently sleeping  at  the  mill,  where  he 
could  be  called  upon  quickly  in  case 
of  emergency.  Samuel  L.  Hill  was 
interested  in  this  business  with  him, 
and  later  Mr.  Isaac  Parsons  and  D.  G. 
Littlefield,  to  whom  he  finally  sold  out 
in  1857. 

While  living  in  Florence,  he  became 
quite  a  landholder,  owning  a  large 
tract  extending  from  Park  street  to  the 
river.  On  this  and  other  tracts  he 
erected  several  houses.  Most  of  the  time  he  lived  in  the  house  he  built 
on  the  site  of  Mr.  Samuel  Porter's  brick  residence.  He  was  connected 
with  the  local  station  of  the  underground  railroad,  being  by  nature  sym- 
pathetic and  helpful,  and  believing  that  all  men  are  born  free  and  equal. 
His  broad  views  unfitted  him  for  living  under  a  monarchial  form  of  gov- 
ernment, gave  him  little  respect  for  royalty,  and  were  the  chief  reasons 
for  his  coming  to  America. 

Mr.  Critchlow  always  treated  his  help  kindly,  and  was  greatly 
respected  and  beloved  by  them.  A  little  story  shows  this,  as  well  as  his 
own  personal  courage.  One  night  at  the  mill,  two  workmen  quarreled 
and  finally  came  to  blows  just  as  Mr.  Critchlow  put  in  an  appearance. 
He  at  once  jumped  right  between  them,  called  a  halt,  and  was  instantly 
obeyed  by  both,  whose  feelings  of  anger  gave  place  to  shame  and  con- 
fusion. As  the  combatants  were  large  men,  one  being  a  stalwart  six- 
footer  of  pugnacious  propensities,  and  as  Mr.  Critchlow  was  very  short, 
the  spectacle  presented  had  a  decidedly  ludicrous  side. 

After  selling  out  his  business  in  Florence,  he  visited  his  native  land, 
and,  on  his  return  in  1858,  bought  one  of   the  old  woolen  mills  in   Leeds, 


ALFRED    P.    CRITCHLOW. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  22  1 

and  commenced  manufacturing  vegetable  ivory  buttons,  continuing  the 
business  about  fifteen  years.  This  was  the  first  ivory  button  factory  in  this 
country,  and  business  was  so  successful  that  within  five  years  a  second 
mill  was  built.  Previous  to  the  flood  of  1874  he  owned  quite  a  portion 
of  Leeds,  and  was  worth,  at  least,  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  In 
1S70.  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  withdrew  from  active  work,  and 
spent  eighteen  months  in  England.  Later  he  traveled  in  South  America, 
but  never  fully  recovered  his  health.  After  rebuilding  the  mills  which 
the  flood  destroyed,  Mr.  Critchlow  held  a  leading  position  in  the  factory 
till  his  death  in  March,  1881. 

Although  small  of  stature,  he  was  a  man  of  broad  mind  and  large 
heart,  and  his  charities  were  neither  few  nor  small.  Many  have  been 
helped  by  him  in  time  of  trouble  or  sickness,  and,  like  all  generous  souls, 
he  was  sometimes  victimized  by  the  unappreciative  or  undeserving. 
He  had  a  "genius  for  hard  work,"  as  well  as  a  wonderfully  fertile  and 
inventive  mind.  These  traits  showed  themselves  in  whatever  business 
he  engaged  in,  whether  agriculture,  horticulture,  or  mechanics.  He  had 
also  a  practical  knowledge  of  chemistry.  He  was  a  natural  pioneer, 
sowing  seed  that  would  bear  fruit.  The  present  Florence  Manufactur- 
ing Company  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  business  he  established. 

Mrs.  Critchlow  and  two  daughters  are  still  living,  Mrs.  Naramore  of 
Perth  Amboy,  N.  J.,  and  Mrs.  Warner,  wife  of  George  P.  Warner,  formerly 
of  Leeds,  now  living  in  Denver,  Colorado,  with  whom  Mrs.  Critchlow 
resides. 


ELISHA    LIVERMORE  HAMMOND. 

By  Harriet  B.  Gardner. 

"  The  grass  may  grow  o'er  the  lowly  bed, 
Where  the  noblest  Roman  hath  laid  his  head, 
But  mind  and  thought, — a  nation's  mind 
Embalm  the  lover  of  mankind." 

Elisha  Livermore  Hammond  was  born  in  Newton,  Mass.,  December 
twenty-ninth,  1779.  He  was  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  ten  children  and 
his  education  was  limited  to  a  short  period  in  the  district  school.  Quite 
early  in  life  he  worked  at  stucco  work  in  Boston,  and  having  an  artistic 
temperament  took  lessons  for  some  time  of  Chester  Harding,  the  artist. 
For  his  second  wife  he  married  Eliza  Preston,  daughter  of  Dr.  John 
Preston,  of  New  Ipswich,  New  Hampshire.  He  was  living  in  a  pleasant 
home,  earned  by  years  of  hard  labor,  devoting  his  time  to  managing  a 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


New  England  farm  and  painting  portraits,  for  which  he  had  a  decided 
talent;  and,  being  an  ardent  abolitionist  and  an  enthusiastic  temperance 
reformer,  he  was  quite  ready,  when  the  claims  of  the  "Northampton 
Association  for  Education  and  Industry  "  were  presented  to  him  in  glow- 
ing colors,  to  sell  his  home  at  a  sacrifice  and  follow,  as  he  thought,  the 
teachings  of  the  greatest  reformer  the  world  has  ever  known.  This 
appeared  to  him  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  heaven  upon  earth,  uni- 
versal brotherhood.  I  think,  more  than  any  man  I  ever  knew,  he  tried 
to  follow  Christ's  teaching  literally.  He  could  not  twist  and  turn  them 
to  suit  his  life  ;  he  must  make  his  everyday  living  conform  to  them. 

He  joined  the  association  in  1844,  and  proved  a  valuable  member, 
always  taking  an  active  interest  in  its  welfare,  and  doing  what  he  could 

to  promote  harmony  in  the  "hetero- 
geneous mass  of  people  of  all  ages, 
colors,  and  conditions  of  life,"  as  he 
was  wont  to  call  them.  Although 
Community  life  fell  short  of  his  ideal, 
he  never  lost  faith  in  the  association's 
broad  platform,  and  though  he  knew 
the  human  race  must  cast  off  much  of 
its  selfishness  before  such  a  scheme 
could  succeed,  while  poorer  in  purse, 
he  always  felt  richer  in  soul  for  having 
been  one  of  its  members.  He  fully  ac- 
cepted the  closing  words  of  Bronson 
Alcott's  speech  in  Florence  a  few  years 
ago.  Mr.  Alcott,  after  giving  a  little 
sketch  of  his  life,  of  the  many  "  isms  "  he 
had  tried  and  found  wanting,  of  a  visit 
lie  made  to  the  old  Community,  think- 
ing that  was  to  be  the  millennium  upon 
earth,  now,  in  his  old  age,  declared  that  he  had  winnowed  them  all  down 
to  this  simple  doctrine,  "  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  within." 

After  leaving  the  association  he  built  his  little  cottage  in  Florence 
and  lived  there  with  his  devoted  wife  about  thirty-five  years.  Always  a 
worker  with  his  hands,  he  managed  by  strict  economy  to  keep  his  pleas- 
ant home,  devoting  much  time  and  labor  to  the  many  good  causes  which 
appealed  to  his  sympathies. 

On  the  subjects  of  temperance  and  tobacco  he  was  a  radical  of  the 
radicals.      Here  is  a  characteristic  paragraph  from  his  journal  : — 

"  Tobacco  is  yet  too  respectable  to  be  talked  about.  Rum  used  to  be,  but  it 
does  behave  so  badly  that  its  conduct  is  spoken  against  now  by  many  respect- 


ELISHA    L.    HAMMOND. 
From  a  Painting  by  himself. 


BIOGRAPHIES.  2  2> 

able  people,  and  when  women  come  to  the  front  they  will  open  wide  the  doors 
and  sweep  it  out.      Hasten  the  day  !  " 

The  following  brief  paragraphs  taken  at  random  from  Ids  journal 
suggest  his  habits  of  thought  and  the  underlying  principles  that  con- 
trolled his  action,  yet  he  was  not  a  man  of  theories,  and  it  might  almost 
be  said  that  his  theories  were  the  result  of  his  own  experience,  of  his 
daily  life. 

"My  investments  in  silver  and  gold  have  not  been  successful,  but  my  invest- 
ments in  humanity  have  been  yielding  a  percentage  quite  satisfactory  and 
remunerative." 

"  On  my  platform  every  human  being  shall  have  the  privilege  of  explaining 
his  or  her  individual  convictions.  I  do  not  feel  I  have  any  right  or  authority 
delegated  to  me  to  coerce  my  fellow  beings,  or  do  anything  that  shall  disturb  their 
religion  or  diminish  their  hopes." 

"  Honesty  is  a  lost  art.  It  used  to  be  considered  a  desirable  quality  adorning 
the  character  of  any  human  being,  if  for  no  higher  motive  than  policy.  Now  it 
is  dispensed  with  altogether." 

I  find  this  last  record  in  his  journal  dated  July  tenth,  1882  : — 

"  One  week  ago,  the  anniversary  of  my  wife's  death,  I  left  my  Florence  home 
for  a  home  with  my  adopted  children  in  Brightwood.  Owing  to  my  feeble  health 
the  old  house  had  lost  its  charm  for  me,  and  the  new  home  seems  the  most  rest- 
ful place,  till  I  hear  the  summons,  'Come  up  higher.'  " 

So  full  of  faith  was  he  that  what  we  call  death  was  for  him  only  the 
setting  forth  upon  a  pleasantly  anticipated  journey  concerning  which  lie 
had  no  shadow  of  doubt  or  misgiving.  It  was  by  his  own  request  that 
his  burial  was  absolutely  without  ceremony. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  an  address  by  a  friend  in  his  old 
home,  New  Ipswich  : — 

"Such  a  one,  not  unknown  to  some  of  you,  once  walked  our  streets  whose 
hand  was  ready  and  strong  in  every  good  work  ;  a  skillful  artisan,  a  sound 
thinker,  an  earnest  speaker  in  his  plain,  straightforward  way,  always  in  the  front 
rank  for  freedom,  temperance,  and  all  reforms.  After  he  had  reached  the  age  of 
fourscore  years,  looking  back  upon  the  scene  as  nearly  ended,  honored  and  loved 
by  all  who  knew  him,  he  exclaimed  :  '  I  fear  my  life  has  been  a  failure.'  Can 
you  wonder  if  in  the  minds  of  those  who  heard  him,  the  response  at  once  sprang 
up,  'A  life  like  yours  is  of  the  highest  type  '  ?  " 

Another  friend,  immediately  after  his  death,  wrote  : — 

"  He  was  a  man  of  strong  individuality,  possessing  remarkable  characteristics  ; 
his  intellectual  endowments  and  attainments,  together  with  his  acute  moral  and 
social  susceptibilities,  rendering  his  position  in  society  one  of  peculiar  bearing 
and  influence.  His  temperament  was  naturally  very  sanguine  and  hopeful.  His 
impulses  were  quick  and  earnest  ;  his  humanity  broad  as  the  world,  and  of  con- 


224  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

stant,  untiring  activity;  while  his  sympathies  possessed  a  feminine  sweetness  and 
tenderness.  He  was  the  coadjutor  and  companion  of  Garrison,  Foster,  Phillips, 
Burleigh,  Pillsbury,  and  other  noble  pioneers  of  the  anti-slavery  cause.  '  Let 
justice  be  done  though  the  heavens  fall,'  was  the  watchword  of  his  life." 


MARY    WHITE    BOND. 

By  Martha  Bryant  Cary. 

Mary  White  Bond  was  born  at  Canterbury,  Conn.,  May  twenty-first, 
1836,  and  died  at  Florence,  Mass.,  September  twenty-fifth,  1891.  Her 
father,  Daniel  Herrick  Bond,  was  a  descendant  of  Henry  Herrick  of 
Salem,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1629.     The  ancestry  of   the  Herrick 

family  is  traced  to  Eric  the 
Forester,  and  later  to  Sir 
William  Herrick,  who  was 
connected  with  the  court  of 
Queen  Elizabeth  in  1575,  a 
member  of  Parliament  from 
1601  to  1630,  and  continued 
his  connection  with  the  gov- 
ernment through  the  reign  of 
James  I.  It  is  an  interesting 
fact  that  the  coat  of  arms  of 
the  Herrick  family  bears  the 
motto,"  Virtus  nobilitat omnia." 
Mary  White   Bond    inherited 

HAILSTONES    OF   THE    GREAT    STORM,  JUNE    20,    70.*  J 

many  of  the  qualities  of  her 
far-away  ancestors,  and  was  a  marked  illustration  of  the  truthfulness  of 
the  motto  upon  the  Herrick  coat  of  arms — "Virtue  ennobles  all." 

The  first  paternal  ancestor  in  this  country  was  William  Bond,  son  of 
Thomas  Bond,  of  Bury  Saint  Edmunds,  England,  who  came  to  Water- 
town,  Mass.,  in  1630,  with  the  first  settlers  of  that  town.  He  was  select- 
man, town  clerk,  a  captain  of  a  company  of  horse,  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
a  member  of  the  council  of  safety  in  1689,  often  chosen  a  representative 
to  the  General  Court,  and  four  times  elected  speaker  of  that  body.  His 
grandson,  Nathaniel  Bond,  sold  his  property  in  Watertown,  and  removed 
to  Canterbury,  Conn.,  in  17 10.  Bethuel  Bond,  grandson  of  Nathaniel, 
married    Ruth  Herrick,  one  of  whose  children  was  Daniel  Herrick  Bond. 


*In  this  picture  are  two  hens'  eggs,  one  at  the  extreme  left,  and  one  in  the  background, 
showing  the  comparative  size  of  the  hailstones,  which  were  only  average  specimens.  Stones 
formed  in  Northampton  and  Florence  larger  than  anywhere  else  in  the  line  of  the  storm. 


lIUK'.ttAl'HIIiS. 


225 


Mary  White  Bond's  mother,  Deborah  White,  was  the  daughter  of 
George  Savage  White,  who  came  with  his  family  from  England  to  this 
country  in  1S12.  He  was  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  and  preached  in 
various  places  in  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut.  Her 
mother  died  when  Mary  was  thirteen  years  old,  leaving  seven  children, 
the  youngest,  Henry,  being  not  quite  two  years  old.  Her  father  never 
married  again,  and  she  remained  with  him  and  the  children,  caring  for 
them  and  maintaining  the  home.  Her  influence  upon  her  brothers  and 
sisters  was,  perhaps,  the  most  important  part  of  her  life  work,  and  they 
all  lived  to  recognize  their  great  obligation  to  her  for  her  unceasing 
exertions  for  their  welfare. 

She  inherited   the  strong  mental  qualities  of  her  mother's  family,  and 
the  love  of  study  and  independence  of  thought  of  her  father,  at  an  early 
age  manifesting  an  eager  desire  for  knowledge.     All   books  within  her 
reach  were    read,   and   many   often    re- 
read.    She  early  became  familiar  with 
history,  poetry,  and  many  of  the  stand- 
ard works  of  prose,  while  later  she  pur- 
sued the  study  of  botany,  mathematics, 
and  German,  acquiring  familiarity  with 
the  works  of  the  best  German  authors, 
and    conversing    readily    in    that     lan- 
guage.    In   her  knowledge    of   Shake- 
speare    and    the   literature    pertaining 
to  his  works,  she  was  the  equal  of  some 
of  the  best  scholars  of  the  day. 

Her  career  as  a  school-teacher  com- 
menced in  1858  and  continued  until 
1872,  first  in  her  native  town,  after- 
wards in  Farmington,  Conn.,  and,  in 
1864,  she  came  to  Florence,  where  she 
was  made  principal  of  its  public 
schools.  She  was  an  ideal  educator,  developing  in  her  pupils  an  enthu- 
siastic interest  in  their  studies,  and  an  earnest  desire  for  knowledge. 
Many  "  self-made  "  men  and  women  to-day  delight  to  do  her  memory 
honor  by  giving  to  her  the  credit  of  making  the  right  suggestion  at  the 
right  time,  which  sent  them  forth  with  new  light  and  courage  to  make 
their  way  in  life. 

She  saw  little  of  the  world  by  travel,  yet  she  possessed  all  the  culture, 
refinement,  and  ease  of  manners  which  are  usually  acquired  only  by 
those  who  have  the  leisure  for  extensive  reading,  travel,  and  social  inter- 
course.    By  a   liberal  purchase  of  books  and  photographs   of  the   best 


MARY    WHITE    BOND. 


226  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

works  of  art,  and  by  subscription  to  the  best  periodicals  and  newspapers 
of  the  day,  she  brought  to  herself  the  world  she  had  never  visited. 

Miss  Bond  was  the  first  woman  elected  a  member  of  the  school  com- 
mittee of  Northampton,  and  continued  in  that  position  by  re-election  to 
the  time  of  her  death.  She  was  selected  by  Alfred  T.  Lilly  as  one  of 
the  trustees  of  the  Lilly  Library  Association,  and  devoted  her  time  and 
talent  to  the  end  that  the  generous  gift  of  Lilly  Library  to  Florence 
should  be  a  positive  factor  in  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  education  in 
the  village,  serving  as  a  member  of  the  book  committee,  and  exercising 
great  care  in  the  selection  of  books  which  would  be  of  value  to  the 
school  children  in  their  studies.  During  the  last  year  of  her  life,  she 
formed  a  plan  for  additional  educational  facilities  in  Florence,  under  the 
scheme  known  as  university  extension,  but  her  death  prevented  its  exe- 
cution. 

In  1873,  when  the  Florence  Savings  Bank  was  organized,  her  brother, 
Henry  Herrick  Bond,  was  chosen  treasurer,  but  the  work  was  largely 
performed  by  his  sister,  and  after  his  death,  in  1882,  she  was  chosen 
treasurer  of  the  bank,  being  the  first  woman  ever  elected  to  such  an 
office.     This  position  she  occupied   during  the  remainder  of  her  life. 

Here  she  might  always  be  found  before  business  hours,  ready  to 
accommodate  those  whose  convenience  required  an  early  call.  Here 
depositors  of  all  ages  were  encouraged  to  come  with  their  savings,  how- 
ever small.  Here,  too,  she  came  in  contact  with  almost  every  phase  of 
human  character,  and  in  her  not  only  the  educated  and  the  rich,  but  the 
ignorant  and  the  poor,  found  a  cheering,  inspiring,  and  sympathetic 
friend.  She  recognized  true  nobility  under  the  roughest  exterior,  and, 
though  possessing  intellectual  gifts  and  social  graces  that  made  her  the 
peer  of  the  highest,  she  was  never  "  bored  "  by  the  society  of  the  hum- 
blest.    In  her  large  heart  there  was  room  for  all. 

In  the  midst  of  her  arduous  and  faithful  labors  in  school  and  at  the 
bank,  Miss  Bond  found  time  to  conduct  free  classes  in  several  branches 
of  study  for  the  benefit  of  her  young  friends,  some  of  whom  met  with 
her,  with  only  occasional  interruptions,  during  a  period  of  nearly  twenty 
years.  In  this  way  she  taught  botany,  gathering  her  pupils  about  her  in 
her  office  after  business  hours,  and  in  favorable  weather  going  with  them 
on  Saturday  afternoon  to  gather  and  analyze  specimens  afforded  by  the 
fields  and  woods  of  Florence.  The  class  in  German  met  at  her  home  one 
evening  in  each  week  for  fifteen  years,  and  during  that  time  she  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  some  of  her  pupils  progress  from  the  "  First  German 
Reader"  to  familiarity  with  the  best  writers  in  that  language.  How 
thrilling  the  memory  of  those  delightful  hours  when  we,  her  privileged 
pupils,  were  wont  to  gather  in  a  friendly  circle  about  the  ample  table,  to 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


227 


partake  of  the  feast  thus  freely  and  generously  offered  !  What  pleasure 
from  time  to  time  to  steal  a  glance  at  her  sweet,  strong,  benign  face,  as 
she  bent  in  absorbed  attention  over  the  book  before  her  ! 

For  eighteen  years  she  conducted  a  class  in  Shakespeare,  meeting 
with  her  pupils  once  a  week,  and  it  was  in  this  class  possibly  more  than 
in  either  of  the  others,  that  they  learned  something  of  the  depth  and 
richness  of  her  intellect,  and  the  beauty  and  nobility  of  her  character. 
Henceforth  life  possessed  for  them  a  new  and  greater  meaning.  She 
gave  them  higher  ideals  to  live  by  and  nobler  ends  to  work  for. 

Not  the  least  of  her  services  to  oth- 
ers was  her  work  as  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school  of  the  Free  Con- 
gregational Society  of  Florence,  a  posi- 
tion requiring  much  time  and  thought, 
and  a  service  book,  which  was  her  own 
generous  gift  to  the  school,  is  still  used 
in  the  opening  exercises. 

Miss  Bond  liked  "  wide  margins," 
as  she  would  sometimes  say,  humor- 
ously, when,  opening  some  book,  she 
pointed  to  its  clear  print  and  wide  mar- 
gin, apparently  unconscious  of  the 
deep  significance  of  her  words,  the 
truth  of  which  was  daily  illustrated  in 
her  own  life.  Though  her  work  would 
seem  to  have  been  sufficient  to  absorb 
her  whole  time,  she  left  "wide  mar- 
gins "  for  those  who  needed  her,  and  for  those  who  might  call  upon  her 
for  aid  or  sympathy. 

But  if  all  were  said  which  gratitude  and  affection  could  prompt,  the 
best  would  still  remain  unspoken.  We  knew  her  and  knew  her  not. 
'  For  that  is  the  nobility  of  the  great,  that  they  cannot  be  divined,  but 
send  the  seeker  farther  and  farther  into  their  own  unsurveyed  heavens.' 


GEORGE    A.    BURR. 


GEORGE  A.  BURR. 


By  Frank  N.  Look. 


Almost  without  exception,  the  men  who  were  at  the  head  of  the  vari- 
ous manufacturing  interests  of  the  Florence  of  fifteen  or  twenty  years 
ago  have  died,  or  have  removed  to  other  localities.  Seldom  is  a  place 
found  having  such  diversified  industries,  where  this  is  as  true  as  in   Flor- 


228  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

ence,  or  where  so  large  a  portion  of  its  active  men  of  business  are  as  yet 
in  the  very  prime  of  life,  able  to  give  from  their  full  measure  of  strength 
the  best  of  mind  and  heart  for  the  interests  intrusted  to  them.  To  some 
of  those  who  now  bear  these  responsibilities,  counsel,  example,  and 
strength  have  come  from  association  with  those  who,  alone  and  under 
great  difficulties,  shaped  the  successful  beginnings  of  our  industries, 
the  heritage  of  whose  toil  and  wisdom  we  now  enjoy.  To  some  of  us 
have  come  similar  qualities,  from  those  who  have  laid  down  their  work 
while  in  the  possession  of  their  full  strength,  and  at  the  time  for  doing 
their  best  work  \  and,  again,  from  others  whose  active  life  has  been  spent 
elsewhere,  yet  who  always  gave  generously  of  time  and  money  for 
Florence  enterprises,  influences  have  come  that  are  fully  appreciated  by 
those  who  direct  the  affairs  for  which  they  labored.  Rich  as  is  this 
inheritance,  and  inspiring  as  is  this  record  for  character  and  qualities 
that  ever  make  for  success,  as  other  pages  in  this  volume  witness,  yet  we 
must  always  regret  that  we  have  not  had  the  benefit  of  the  ripe  experi- 
ence and  matured  judgment  of  some  who,  loving  Florence,  watching  her 
interests  with  loyal  pride,  and  planning  wisely  for  the  future,  have  died 
in  the  prime  of  life,  leaving  to  us  the  attainment  of  their  anticipations. 

George  A.  Burr  was  such  a  man,  and,  had  his  life  been  spared,  it  must 
have  been  of  much  advantage  to  this  community.  Mr.  Burr  was  born 
in  Worthington,  Mass.,  December  twelfth,  1829,  and  was  an  inheritor  of 
those  qualities  that  have  made  the  true  American  what  he  is  ;  the  son  of 
Ames  Burr,  one  of  those  men  of  sterling  character  who  largely  made 
his  own  circumstances,  instead  of  being  made  by  them,  whose  influence 
was  not  merely  local,  whose  sympathies  were  broad,  and  whose  word  was 
synonymous  with  truth. 

He  grew  to  young  manhood  on  a  farm,  attending  the  district  school 
and  forming  his  love  of  nature  that  never  lessened,  taking  to  himself  the 
strength  and  ambition  coming  from  the  broad  outlook  from  the  home 
in  Worthington,  with  its  pure  air  and  clean  surroundings. 

With  this  equipment,  he  came  to  Northampton  when  fourteen  years 
of  age,  and  began  his  business  career,  serving  as  errand  boy  for  the  dry 
goods  firm  of  Stoddard  &  Lathrop.  Faithfulness  to  duty  characterized 
him  at  the  very  beginning.  One  of  his  duties  was  to  cover  the  windows 
at  night  with  heavy  wooden  shutters.  One  morning  he  found  a  notice 
of  warning,  stating  that  he  must  be  more  careful  of  his  work.  Recog- 
nizing the  handwriting  as  that  of  a  fellow  clerk,  who  may  have  thought 
to  discourage  him,  or  to  whom  the  fidelity  of  Mr.  Burr  may  have  been  a 
reproof,  he  preserved  it  for  many  years  as  a  reminder  of  his  early  life. 
Fitted  by  the  advances  made  in  this  store,  he  sought  a  wider  field  for  his 
energies,  which  all  recall  who  knew  him  during  those  years. 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


229 


A  partnership  was  formed  with  Mr.  Mclntyre  for  the  purpose  of  hand- 
ling coal.  Hour,  and  grain,  occupying  the  brick  building  at  the  railroad 
crossing  on  Main  street.  Mr.  Burr,  though  now  only  a  young  man  of 
nineteen,  at  once  began  to  increase  the  line  of  business,  and  early  in  this 
partnership  the  first  carload  of  coal  was  received  that  was  ever  brought 
to  Northampton.  During  this  period  he  learned  the  telegraph  business, 
and  was  wont  to  tell  of  his  many  experiences  of  his  early  work. 

When  Mr.  Christopher  Clark  undertook  to  arrange  for  the  extraor- 
dinary undertaking  at  that  time  of  a  concert  by  the  famous  Jenny  Lind, 
it  became  necessary  to  have  a  liberal  guarantee  against  financial  loss, 
and  he  found  in  Mr. 
Burr  a  faithful  ally. 
The  concert  was 
given  with  great  suc- 
cess, and  her  coming 
led  to  the  happy  days 
that  this  sweet  singer 
spent  in  Northamp- 
ton, "the  paradise  of 
America." 

Some  of  Mr.  Burr's 
family  having  gone 
West,  after  a  few 
years  he  retired  from 
the    business,    and, 

while  en  route  for  the  West,  stopped  at  Bleecker,  N.  Y.,  to  visit  a  brother, 
and  became  interested  in  the  lumber  and  furniture  business,  in  which  he 
continued  for  about  ten  years.  Hard  work  and  great  energy  had  built 
up  a  fair  business,  but  the  life  there  was  not  a  congenial  one,  nor  was  it 
adapted  for  his  family,  for,  at  the  time  of  his  going  to  Bleecker,  he  had 
married  Miss  Sarah  M.  Ely  of  West  Springfield. 

The  entire  building  and  a  large  portion  of  the  machinery  being 
destroyed  by  fire,  he  at  once  decided  to  return  to  Northampton,  and 
very  soon  afterward  was  elected  general  agent  of  the  Florence  Sewing 
Machine  Company.  Here  he  found  an  opportunity  for  his  strength, 
and,  under  his  management,  this  company  attained  great  success,  largely 
extending  its  business,  and  its  capital  stock  increased  to  twice  its  nom- 
inal value.  "Had  the  same  honesty,  integrity,  and  ability  governed  the 
management  of  the  prominent  local  offices  for  the  sale  of  machines  that 
characterized  the  administration  of  the  home  office,  the  financial  con- 
dition of  the  company  would  have  proved  a  marvel  of  business  prosper- 
ity."    During  his  administration   as  treasurer,  the  script  of  the   sewing 


THE  GEORGE  A.  BURR  PLACE. 


230  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

machine  company  was  issued,  which  served  as  local  money  for  some 
time,  all  but  a  very  small  amount  being  eventually  redeemed. 

Disposing  largely  of  his  stock  in  this  company,  though  he  continued 
to  serve  the  interests  of  stockholders  in  later  years,  as  all  who  knew  his 
keen  analysis  of  managements  and  men  remember,  he  entered  upon  the 
work  of  his  life,  the  management  and  development  of  the  Florence  Man- 
ufacturing Company.  Giving  to  this  business  his  entire  time  and 
matured  powers,  he  quickly  brought  it  to  an  assured  success.  During 
the  fifteen  years  of  his  management,  the  most  cordial  relations  existed 
between  employer  and  employed,  officers  and  stockholders.  Visiting 
Europe  several  times  in  the  interest  of  the  business,  and  being  in  touch 
with  the  advances  made  in  similar  lines  of  industry,  he  left  this  business 
as  a  monument  to  his  sagacity  and  wisdom  in  financial  matters. 

Mr.  Burr  was  for  a  number  of  years  on  the  board  of  assessors  and 
selectmen.  He  was  for  many  years  a  valued  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Northampton  National  Bank,  and,  from  the  beginning 
of  the  Florence  Savings  Bank,  was  its  vice-president. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Burr  was  a  stanch  Republican,  but  he  never  con- 
sented to  the  use  of  his  name  for  political  honors. 

In  his  business  life  at  home  and  abroad,  he  was  honored  and  thor- 
oughly respected  ;  under  all  circumstances  a  gentleman,  his  large  heart 
showing  itself  in  his  cordial  greeting,  a  genial  host,  and  attached  to 
home  and  family  with  the  strongest  of  ties. 

Facing  death  for  many  months,  in  the  full  attainment  of  his  man- 
hood, he  displayed  rare  graces  of  patience  and  continued  thoughtful- 
ness  for  others. 

Mr.  Burr  was,  throughout  his  life  in  Florence,  actively  interested  in, 
and  a  generous  supporter  of,  the  Congregational  church,  giving  to  it 
and  to  the  pastor  the  best  of  his  counsel  and  service. 

Mr.  Burr  died  January  twenty-sixth,  1881,  being  fifty-one  years  of 
age.  His  wife  and  three  children  survive  him,  and  the  memory  of  his 
life  lives  on  in  lives  helped  by  him. 


HENRY    HERRICK    BOND. 

By  Elizabeth   Powell    Bond. 

Henry  Herrick  Bond  was  born  in  Canterbury,  Conn.,  June  second, 
1847,  the  youngest  child  of  Daniel  Herrick  Bond  and  Deborah  White. 
He  bore  the  name,  Henry  Herrick,  of  the  Anglo-American  founder  of 
the  maternal  side  of  his  father's  family.  The  ancestral  line  has  already 
been  traced  in  the  sketch  of  his  revered  sister,  Mary  White  Bond. 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


231 


The  childhood  of  Henry  Herrick  Bond  was  passed  in  the  quiet,  rural 
village  of  Canterbury,  where  he  attended  the  village  school,  enjoying  the 
wholesome  recreations  of  country  boys,  and,  at  the  same  time,  having 
regular  duties  that  supplied  all  his  pocket  money.  At  sixteen,  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Florence,  Mass.,  where  his  brother,  Daniel  W. 
Bond,  had  begun  the  practice  of  law.  During  his  school  days  in  Flor- 
ence, he  was  a  member  of  the  amateur  baseball  nine,  the  "Eagles," 
whose  competitive  games  became  the  occasion  of  village  holidays,  and 
whose  successes  and  defeats  were  matters  of  pride  or  regret  to  the  whole 
village.  The  strong,  personal  influence  that  was  characteristic  of  his 
manhood  made  itself  felt  in  his  asso- 
ciation with  other  youths.  He  did 
not  preach  against  profanity,  but,  in  his 
presence,  the  profane  word  was  not 
spoken. 

At  nineteen  he  laid  aside  the  bat 
and  ball,  and  entered  the  Columbia 
Law  School  of  New  York,  where  he 
spent  two  years.  The  youngest  mem- 
ber of  a  large  class,  he  was  the  only  one 
who  never  missed  a  lecture,  and  whose 
command  of  phonography  enabled  him 
to  make  every  lecture  his  own.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Northamp- 
ton in  1869,  and  immediately  com- 
menced practice  with  his  brother,  then 
associated  with  William  Allen,  after- 
ward Judge  Allen  of  the  superior  court. 
He  had  a  genius  for  hard  work,  not  only  in  his  own  profession,  but  in 
the  interests  of  his  town,  wherever  his  efforts  might  serve  the  community. 

The  Homestead  Fund,  beneficently  established  by  Samuel  L.  Hill  to 
aid  the  mechanics  of  Florence  to  secure  homes,  was  committed  to  his 
care  and  direction.  In  1873  the  establishment  of  the  Florence  Savings 
Bank  engaged  his  interest  ;  and  its  complete  success,  under  the  wise 
methods  of  Miss  Bond,  has  justified  his  efforts  for  it. 

No  desire  for  personal  ease,  nor  for  the  gratification  of  his  private 
tastes,  ever  stood  in  the  way  of  his  clients  ;  and  that  part  of  his  work 
which  to  a  less  earnest  nature  would  have  been  drudgery  took  on  the 
interest  of  determined  success.  He  commenced  arguing  cases  before  the 
full  bench  of  the  supreme  judicial  court,  in  September,  1872,  and  appeared 
before  the  court  for  this  purpose  every  year  until  1878,  when  he  made  the 
argument  in  the  last  case  on  his  list,  and  left  the  court  house  never  to 


HENRY    HERRICK    I'.OND. 


232  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

return,  nor  to  do  any  more  professional  work.  His  brother,  Judge  Bond, 
says  of  him  :  "  It  can  be  safely  said  that  during  the  time  he  practiced 
law,  no  man  of  his  age  ever  did  more  or  better  professional  work.  The 
presentation  of  his  views  upon  questions  of  law  was  remarkably  clear 
and  forcible.  A  judge  of  the  superior  court  of  Massachusetts  said  that 
'he  could  state  a  proposition  of  law  as  clearly  as  any  man  at  the  bar.' 
His  argument  for  a  new  trial  at  Worcester  during  the  last  year  he  was 
practicing  law  was  said,  by  lawyers  who  heard  it,  to  be  a  model  and 
masterly  effort.  He  was  tall  and  well  proportioned,  his  voice  was  clear 
and  pleasant,  he  spoke  earnestly,  and  with  the  coolness  and  deliberation 
of  a  lawyer  of  years  of  practice  ;  he  was  always  master  of  his  case  and 
had  thoroughly  examined  the  principles  of  the  law  with  reference  to  the 
questions  at  issue.  In  the  preparation  of  cases  for  trial  by  a  jury  he  had 
no  equal  among  the  younger  and  few  among  the  elder  members  of  the 
bar.  All  the  facts  and  inferences  were  minutely  examined,  and  arranged 
in  order  upon  paper,  for  use  at  the  trial,  an  examination  of  the  law  was 
made,  and  a  careful  statement  of  it  written  out  with  reference  to  the 
authorities.  His  opening  to  the  jury  was  always  a  strong  presentation 
of  the  case.  The  opening  made  by  him  in  the  case  of  the  Common- 
wealth v.  Scott  and  Dunlap  was  regarded  by  all  who  heard  it  as  a 
remarkably  clear  and  forcible  statement.  He  never  lost  his  self-control, 
he  wras  respectful  to  the  Court,  and  courteous  to  the  counsel  on  the 
opposing  side  ;  his  arguments  to  the  jury  were  thorough,  and  received 
by  them  as  coming  from  a  man  of  honor  and  integrity." 

During  the  three  years  of  failing  health,  in  which  he  was  forced  to 
acknowledge  to  himself  that  he  could  not  again  take  up  his  profession, 
his  serene  courage  was  never  shaken,  nor  his  quiet  cheerfulness  once 
clouded.  With  everything  to  live  for  that  a  man  could  have,  he  faced 
death  with  the  fortitude  which  had  characterized  his  active  life.  On  the 
twenty-second  of  October,  1881,  at  Millboro,  Virginia,  he  passed  away. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Hampshire  Bar  on  Friday  afternoon,  January 
sixth,  1882,  the  following  resolutions  were  presented  before  Judge  Al- 
drich,  and  ordered  to  be  placed  upon  the  records  of  the  court  : — 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Whereas,  in  the  recent  decease  of  Henry  Herrick  Bond  the  Hampshire  Bar 
has  lost  one  of  its  most  honored  members  : — 

Resolved,  That  by  his  habits  of  patient  and  searching  investigation,  by  his 
clear  discernment  and  grasp  of  legal  principles,  and  by  the  logical  exercise  of  his 
mental  powers,  he  had  gained  a  large  and  accurate  knowledge  of  the  law  ;  and  by 
a  compact  and  vigorous  method  of  statement  he  made  his  knowledge  available 
and  efficient  ;  while  his  love  of  justice,  a  certain  chivalric  devotion  to  his  profes- 
sion, his  honesty  of  purpose,  his  sound  common  sense,  and  the  evident  sincerity 


BI<  KJRAPHIES. 


233 


of  his  motives  and  his  speech,  gave  dignity  to  Ins  professional  character  and  fur- 
nished a  solid  basis  for  his  personal  success. 

Resolved,  That  we  hold  in  affectionate  remembrance  the  sterling  qualities  of 
his  strong  and  generous  manhood;  the  urbanity  and  unvarying  courtesy  of  his 

manner,  his  patience  under  difficulties  and  under  provocation  ;  his  faith  in  man  ; 
his  genial  friendship  ;  his  tender  and  sympathetic  consideration  for  tin-  feelings 
of  others  ;  his  modest  self-reliance,  and  the  variety  and  excellence  of  his  literary 
attainments.  He  had  the  promise  of  a  rich  maturity,  and  of  an  eminently  useful 
life.  Well  balanced  and  self-controlled,  he  held  on  his  even  way  calm  and  cour- 
ageous in  life  and  calm  and  courageous  as  its  end  drew  near. 

Resolved,  That   we  request  that  these   resolutions   may  be  extended  on  the 
records  of  this  court,  and  that  a  copy  be  transmitted  to  the  family  of  the  deceased. 


JOHN    LORD    OTIS. 
By  the  Editor. 

General  John  Lord  Otis  was  born  in  Lyme,  Conn.,  July  fifteenth, 
1827,  and  commenced  the  life  of  a  factory  hand  when  only  seven  and  a 
half  years  old,  working  fourteen 
hours  a  day.  He  followed  this 
employment,  from  "bobbin  boy" 
to  overseer,  for  eighteen  years,  de- 
voting nights  to  hard  study.  .At 
twenty-five  he  was  well  versed  in 
most  of  the  branches  of  manufac- 
turing, was  a  good  machinist,  and 
a  mechanical  engineer  of  acknowl- 
edged ability.  At  this  time  he 
took  charge  of  the  Pacific  mills  of 
Manchester,  Conn.,  as  superin- 
tendent, and  later  established  the 
Otis  Manufacturing  Company  at 
South  Manchester,  wjiere  he  was 
living  when  the  war  broke  out. 

When  the  call  for  volunteers 
came  he  enlisted  in  what  was 
afterward  known  as  Company  B, 
Tenth  Regiment,  Connecticut 
Volunteers,  and  upon  the  organ- 
ization of  the  company  was  com- 
missioned as  second  lieutenant. 
He  served  first  in  the  Burnside  expedition  at  North  Carolina,  and  was 
in  all  the  engagements  in  that  department.     Passing  rapidly  through  the 


GENERAL   JOHN    LORD    OTIS. 


234  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

intermediate  grades,  he  was  commissioned  major  of  his  regiment  in 
November,  1862,  and  the  following  March  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  colonel. 

January  twenty-ninth,  1863,  he  was  ordered,  with  his  command,  to 
South  Carolina,  where  he  served  until  July,  when,  becoming  disabled  by 
an  attack  of  fever,  he  was  ordered  north  to  take  command  of  the  con- 
script camp  at  New  Haven,  Conn.  Here  he  remained  for  two  months, 
and  was  then  detailed  by  General  Dix  to  preside  over  a  court  martial  of 
thirteen  members  assembled  for  the  trial  of  several  officers,  against  whom 
serious  charges  had  been  preferred. 

In  November,  Colonel  Otis  was  relieved  from  detached  service  at  his 
own  request,  and  immediately  rejoined  his  regiment,  then  in  Florida,  and 
was  placed  in  command  of  St.  Augustine,  where  he  remained  until  April 
seventeenth,  1864,  and  then  joined  the  "Army  of  the  James  "  on  its 
organization  ;  was  in  all  its  engagements  during  the  summer,  and  was 
brevetted  a  brigadier  general  for  special  gallantry  at  "  the  crossing  of 
the  James,  June  twentieth,  and  at  the  battle  of  Fuzzells  Mills  and  Deep 
Gully."  General  Plaisted,  who  was  the  commander  of  Colonel  Otis' 
brigade,  wrote  to  a  friend,  as  follows  : — 

"  I  have  just  heard  that  our  old  friend  and  comrade  is  dead.  It  touches  me 
deeply,  as  I  know  it  must  you.  You  know  my  partiality  for  Colonel  Otis — how  I 
esteemed  him  as  a  man,  patriot,  and  soldier.  I  recollect  the  first  time  we  met. 
It  was  at  the  opening  of  the  campaign  in  Virginia  in  '64,  when  the  Tenth  came 
under  my  command.  We  sat  down  on  the  grass  together  and  talked  of  the  busi- 
ness at  hand,  as  one  farmer  might  in  the  field,  with  a  new  neighbor,  of  the  crops 
in  prospect.  I  remember  the  impression  he  made.  There  was  no  military  air 
about  him,  any  more  than  about  Grant,  but  I  perceived  the  quality  of  his  spirit 
and  nerve. 

"  What  I  admired  most  in  our  lamented  friend,  next  to  his  patriotic  zeal,  was 
his  coolness  and  judgment.  He  rose  with  the  emergency,  always  equal  to  the 
occasion.  I  never  saw  him  excited  but  once.  That  was  when  we  fell  back  from 
the  Howlett  house  battery,  June  sixteenth,  under  the  fire  of  Lee's  veterans,  and 
he  thought  the  Tenth  was  not  falling  back  becomingly.  His  sword  flashed  high, 
his  voice  rang  out  above  the  din,  bringing  his  regiment  to  a  standstill  on  the 
instant.  Riding  out,  I  said  to  him,  'The  orders  were  to  fallback  on  the  run.' 
'  Oh,  I  did  not  understand,'  sheathing  his  sword,  so  quietly.  Ordinarily  so  quiet, 
but  in  battle  how  changed  his  manner,  his  voice  and  form  !  In  the  battle  of 
October  seventh  his  regiment  was  the  rock  of  defense  in  our  line,  his  the  central 
figure ;  and  how  his  voice  then  rang  out  in  the  pines,  when  taking  position  with- 
out a  moment  to  spare  !  There  was  a  ring  in  it,  so  commanding,  as  coming  from 
the  finest  metal,  how  could  his  boys  move  from  their  tracks,  'except  to  make 
room  for  those  who  fell,'  as  you  remarked  at  the  time. 

"  But  the  crowning  act  of  his  three  years'  service  was  his  charge  of  October 


BIOGRAPHIES. 


235 


thirteenth,  when  the  Tenth  had  lost  so  heavily,  including  our  'knightly  soldier,' 
Major  Camp,  and  every  company  commander  !  Alar  the  terrible  ordeal,  as  I  said 
to  him,  I  looked  upon  him  as  one  of  the-  worthies  come  out  of  the  fiery  furnace. 
His  reply  was,  '  Now  I  am  ready  to  go  home,  I  am  mustered  out — have  my  dis- 
charge,' tapping  his  breast.  •And  you  went  into  that  charge  with  your  discharge 
in  your  pocket  !  '  He  smiled.  -  Well,  colonel,'  I  said,  '  that  is  beyond  me.  How 
could  you  do  it — mustered  out  and  all  your  thoughts  turned  toward  home  ! '" 

He  was  mustered  out  October  eighteenth,  1864,  on  account  of  expira- 
tion of  term  of  service,  his  service  in  the  army  amounting  to  three  years 


WOODED    ROAD    IN    THE    RAVINE — SPRING    GROVE    CEMETERY. 

and  four  months,  and  he  left  the  service  with  the  rank  of  brigadier 
general.  He  was  wounded  three  times,  once  at  New  Berne,  and  twice 
at  Kingston. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  General  Otis  came  to  Florence  and  became 
superintendent  of  the  old  Florence  Sewing  Machine  Company,  but  after 
two  years  withdrew,  and  in  company  with  L.  B.  Williams  established  the 
Northampton  Emery  Wheel  Company,  under  the  firm  name  of  Otis  & 
Williams.      Later  a  stock  company  was  formed  with  General  Otis  secre- 


236 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


tary,  treasurer,  and  business  manager.  He  was  a  Northampton  select- 
man twice,  a  representative  to  the  legislature  in  1877,  and  state  senator 
in  1879  and  1880. 

General  Otis  died  at  Tarpon  Springs,  Florida,  March  fourteenth,  1894. 
For  several  years  ill  health  led  him  to  spend  his  winters  in  the  South, 
thus  avoiding  the  extreme  cold  of  the  northern  climate.  In  January, 
1894,  while  preparing  to  leave  Florence,  he  sustained  an  attack  of  heart 
disease,  but    rallied    sufficiently  to    enable   him    to    make    the    journey. 


PINE   STREET    BRIDGE — A    VISTA    NEAR   THE    KRUSII    FACTORY. 


However,  his  strength  failed  soon  after  reaching  Tarpon  Springs,  and 
the  end  came  quite  suddenly. 

In  1848  Mr.  Otis  married  Catherine  Preston  of  Northampton,  and  his 
wife  and  two  children,  Harry  P.  and  Philip  A.,  survive  him,  all  residing  in 
Florence. 

A  loving  husband,  a  kind  father,  a  manly  citizen,  and  a  brave  soldier 
was  General  Otis,  and  Florence  will  ever  revere  and  cherish  the  memory 
of  his  noble  life. 


INDUSTRIAL   INTERESTS. 


Florence  is  a  manufacturing  village,  and  the  products  of  its  mills 
and  factories  have  been  scattered  far  and  wide  throughout  the  world. 
How  the  first  enterprises  were  planted  here,  and  how  they  thrived,  is 
told  in  Part  I.  of  this  work.  But  Florence  was  then  in  its  infancy,  and 
the  industries  which  sprang  up  after  the  dissolution  of  the  Community 
will  now  receive  the  attention  which  their  importance  deserves. 

The  Nonotuck  Silk  Company. — The  Nonotuck  Silk  Company  stands 
first  on  the  list  of  the  manufacturing  industries.     Its  early  establishment 


OLD   WOODEN    MILL. 


FINISHING    DEPARTMENT    AND    OFFICE. 


BUILDINGS    OF   THE   NONOTUCK    SILK    COMPANY    IN    1875. 

and  continued  prosperity  and  importance  entitle  it  to  this  position.  It 
may  be  said  that  the  business  had  its  beginning  in  the  mulberry  fever 
and  silk  enterprise  of  Samuel  Whitmarsh.  The  Community  continued 
making  silk  till  its  dissolution  in  1S46,  when  Mr.  S.  L.  Hill  assumed 
charge.  In  1850  Mr.  Hill  was  embarrassed  by  the  failure  of  a  brother 
manufacturer,  whom  he  had  assisted  and  on  whose  notes  he  was  an 
indorser,  and  he  was  obliged  to  lease  his  silk  mill  to  H.  K.  Macomber 
and  Curtis  R.  Parsons,  who  continued  the  business  under  the  name  of 
Macomber  &  Parsons. 

Mr.  Hill  now  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  and  also  dealt  in  lum- 
ber, but  soon,  with  the  assistance  of  Mr.  S.  L.  Hinckley,  he  was  enabled  to 
begin  the  manufacturing  of  silk  again.     The  firm  name  was  the  "  Nono- 


238 


HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 


tuck  Steam  Mills,  S.  L.  Hill,  Agent,"  although  they  used  the  name  of  "  Hill 
&  Hinckley "  in  important  financial  transactions.  They  occupied  a 
portion  of  the  brick  building  owned  by  Valentine  &  Sowerby,  which 
now  forms  a  part  of  the  Oil-Gas  Stove  plant.  The  first  spool  of  machine 
twist  manufactured  in  this  country  for  sewing  machines  was  made  by 
Mr.  Hill.  When  the  lease  of  the  old  wooden  mill  on  Nonotuck  street 
expired,  Mr.  Hill  was  to  take  possession,  but  the  mill  burned  level  with 
the  ground  on  July  nineteenth,  1852,  the  day  of  the  expiration  of  the  lease. 
A  new  mill  was  built  upon  the  ruins  of  the  old  one,  and  soon  the  pros- 
perity of  the  firm  warranted  an  extension  of  the  business  ;  E.  W.  Eaton, 
A.  T.  Lilly,  Lucius   and    Ira    Dimock,  and  J.  D.  Atkins  were  admitted  as 


MILLS    OK    THE    NONOTUCK    SILK    COMPANY. 


partners,  and  on  July  first,  1855,  ine  Nonotuck  Silk  Company  was  organ- 
ized. On  February  sixth,  1866,  the  company  was  incorporated  with  a 
capital  of  $75,000. 

The  business  has  steadily  increased,  and  new  buildings  have  been 
added  from  time  to  time  in  Florence,  Leeds,  and  Haydenville.  The 
latest  addition  to  their  already  extensive  plant  is  a  large  factory  in 
Hartford,  Conn.,  which  is  now  being  fitted  up  for  manufacturing  pur- 
poses. The  company  manufacture  machine  twist,  sewing,  embroidery, 
rope,  etching,  and  knitting  silks  in  fast  colors,  also  silk  hosiery  and 
underwear.  Their  "  Nonotuck  "  and  "  Corticelli  "  brands  are  deservedly 
popular,    and    have    no    superiors  on    the    market.       In    1852    twenty-live 


INDUSTRIAL    INTERESTS. 


239 


employees  worked  up  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  raw  material  a 
week.  At  present  nearly  eight  hundred  hands  are  employed  and  the  out- 
put is  between  five  and  six  thousand  pounds  a  week.  The  capital  of 
the  company  is  $1,000,000  and  the  officers  are  :  president,  Ira  Dimock, 
Hartford,  Conn.  ;  treasurer,  E.  W.  Eaton,  New  York  ;  secretary  and 
assistant  treasurer,  George  H.  Ray  ;  superintendent,  Samuel  Porter  ; 
directors,  Lucius  and  Ira  Dimock,  B.  A.  Armstrong,  E.  W.  Eaton,  and 
Samuel  Porter. 


E.    W.    EATON.  J.    D.    ATKINS.  LUCIUS   DIMOCK. 

A.    T.    LILLY.  S.    L.    HILL.  S.    L.    HINCKLEY.  IRA    DIMOCK. 

THE    ORIGINAL     STOCKHOLDERS    OF    THE    NONOTUCK     SILK    COMPANY. 

The  Florence  Furniture  Company  was  organized  in  1873,  with  a 
capital  of  $20,000,  the  principal  stockholders  being  mechanics  and  work- 
men in  the  shop.  There  has  been  a  gradual  increase  in  the  business, 
and  additions  were  made  to  the  original  plant  in  1S80  and  1888,  until  the 
buildings  are  now  two  hundred  and  ten  feet  long  by  thirty-five  feet 
wide,  with  three  floors  and  basement,  in  which  are  employed  about 
thirty-five  hands. 


240  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

The  goods  manufactured  are  all  grades  of  wood  and  cloth  covered 
burial  cases  and  undertakers'  supplies,  the  market  for  which  is  almost 
exclusively  in  New  England. 

Mr.  A.  T.  Lilly  was  president  till  his  death  in  1S90.  H.  B.  Haven  has 
been  treasurer  and  manager  from  the  organization.  The  present  officers 
are  :  S.  B.  Fuller,  president  ;  H.  B.  Haven,  treasurer  ;  S.  B.  Fuller,  G.  S. 
Graves,  W.  J.  Warner,  H.  F.  Cutler,  and  W.  L.  Wilcox,  directors. 

The  Norwood  Engineering  Company  was  organized  with  a  capital  of 
$10,000,  in  February,  1892.  At  present  about  thirty  hands  are  employed, 
the  company  doing  a  general  foundry  and  machine  business,  dealing  in 
steam  plants  and  manufacturing  cutlery  and  paper  machinery.  The 
officers  are  :  H.  P.  Otis,  president  ;  W.  A.  Stevenson,  treasurer  and 
manager  ;  H.  P.  Otis,  H.  A.  Kimball,  and  George  S.  Graves,  directors. 

The  first  buildings,  now  extensively  enlarged,  erected  on  this  site, 
were  put  up  about  1870  for  the  Sheffield  Manufacturing  Company,  which 
proposed  to  convert  iron  into  a  metal  resembling  steel.  The  attempt 
was  a  failure,  however,  and  the  buildings  were  soon  after  purchased  by 
B.  M.  Couch,  who  used  them  for  a  foundry  and  machine  shop  for  many 
years,  until  A.  G.  Hill  bought  the  property. 

The  Crown  Braiu  Company. — The  old  Greenville  cotton  factory  now 
forms  the  center  of  a  group  of  buildings  used  by  the  Crown  Braid  Com- 
pany for  the  manufacture  of  worsted  and  silk  braid.  The  business  was 
started  in  1888  by  Freeman  Brothers,  who  employed  ten  hands.  A  large 
addition,  now  used  for  a  dyehouse  and  drying  rooms,  was  built  the  same 
year,  and  now  all  save  two  floors,  which  are  used  for  manufacturing  silk, 
are  devoted  to  the  braid  business. 

Hiram  Wells  &  Company. — Mr.  Wells  was  a  machinist,  and  after 
the  Community  dissolved  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Hill,  who 
furnished  working  capital.  The  company  did  a  general  machine  busi- 
ness, having  their  shop  in  the  basement  of  the  silk  mill.  This  building 
was  burned  in  1852,  and  the  company  moved  to  the  Valentine  dyehouse 
before  referred  to.  Portable  circular  sawmills,  pumps,  and  grip 
wrenches  were  manufactured  here,  Mr.  D.  J.  Littlefield  being  a  partner 
at  one  time. 

Mr.  Wells  lost  the  larger  part  of  his  right  hand  in  an  accident,  but  he 
became  quite  skillful  in  using  the  remaining  fingers  and  thumb.  Several 
fires  destroyed  the  pattern  shop  and  did  other  damage,  and  the  business 
was  dealt  a  fatal  blow  on  July  11,  1859,  when  the  boiler  exploded,  killing 
the  proprietor,  and  badly  damaging  the  buildings.  Soon  after  the  estate 
came  into  the  possession  of  the  Florence  Sewing  Machine  Company. 


IMH'S  I'RIAL    INTERESTS. 


241 


Florence  Manufacturing  Company. — In  1854  S.  L.  Hill  and  I.  S. 
Parsons  became  associated  with  A.  P.  Critchlow  in  the  manufacture  of 
papier  mache  buttons,  and  union  cases  for  daguerreotypes  and  ambro- 
types.  The  firm  was  A.  P.  Critchlow  &  Co.  In  1857  D.  G.  Littlefield 
became  a  partner,  and  in  1868  Mr.  Critchlow  sold  out  and  the  firm  name 
was  changed  to  Littlefield,  Parsons  &  Co.,  and  so  remained  till  in  the 
summer  of  1866,  the  demand  for  the  daguerreotype  cases  having  declined, 
George  A.  Scott,  S.  L.  Hinckley,  George  A.  Burr,  Mr.  Littlefield,  and  Mr. 
Parsons  formed  the  Florence  Manufacturing  Company,  this  company 
being  the  successors  of  Littlefield,  Parsons  &  Co.  The  new  firm  began 
manufacturing  toilet  brushes,  mirrors,  lockets,  etc. 

The  reputation  these  "  Florence  "  articles  enjoy  is  an  enviable  one, 
and  from  the  first  the  policy  of  the  company  has  always  been  to  stand 
at  the  head  for  variety  of  styles  and  elegance  of  designs. 


WORKS   OF   THE   FLORENCE    MANUFACTURING    COMPANY. 


The  company  at  the  present  time  manufacture  tooth  brushes,  making 
a  specialty  of  the  Prophylactic,  "  Cosmeon  "  pure  aluminium  goods, 
Florence  composition  brushes  and  mirrors,  and  wood  back  toilet  articles. 
The  aluminium  goods  possess  great  merit,  and  seem  destined  to  be  even 
more  popular  than  the  well  known  "  Florence"  line. 

The  main  factory,  a  brick  building,  three  stories  high,  one  hundred 
and  forty  by  forty-five  feet,  was  built  in  1866.  In  1885  a  building,  one 
hundred  by  fifty  feet,  and  two  stories  high,  was  erected  adjoining  the 
main  structure,  and  in  1893  the  "  office  "  addition,  thirty  by  forty-five 
feet,  three  stories  high,  was  made  necessary  owing  to  the  constantly 
increasing  business. 


242  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

The  company  has  a  capital  of  $100,000,  and  employs  from  one  hun- 
dred fifty  to  one  hundred  seventy-five  hands.  The  present  officers  arc  : 
E.  W.  Eaton,  president  ;  Frank  N.  Look,  treasurer  and  general  manager; 
J.  E.  Winchell,  secretary  ;  E.  W.  Eaton,  H.  R.  Hinckley,  and  Frank  N. 
Look,  directors. 

The  (Bensonville)  Greenville  Manufacturing  Company. — This 
company,  which  was  organized  in  1S46,  bought  the  brick  factory  of  the 
Northampton  Association,  and  began  manufacturing  cotton  cloth. 
George  W.  Benson  was  the  prime  mover.  He  failed  in  1850,  and  the 
name  was  changed  to  the  Greenville  Manufacturing  Company.  In  1867 
the  officers  were  :  President,  S.  Williston  ;  Treasurer,  J.  P.  Williston  ; 
Secretary,  A.  L.  Williston.  The  capital  stock  of  the  company  was 
$100,000.  The  business  of  cotton  manufacturing  steadily  declined  until, 
in  1S86,  the  property  was  bought  by  the  Nonotuck  Silk  Company. 

The  Florence  Tack  Company  commenced  the  manufacture  of  tacks 
and  small  nails,  in  1874,  being  one  of  the  first  concerns  of  this  kind  in 
Western  Massachusetts.  The  plant  burned  down  in  1876,  with  quite  a 
loss  to  the  new  company,  which  at  once  erected  a  new  building  and 
before  1877  were  turning  out  their  goods  again.  George  W.  Bond,  a  man 
of  keen  inventive  genius,  was  superintendent,  and  he  made  the  draw- 
ings for  the  machines  used  in  the  manufacture  of  the  tacks  and  nails. 
The  company  failed  in  1892.  Some  of  the  machinery  has  been  removed, 
the  remainder  has  been  sold  and  destroyed,  and  the  shop  remains  idle. 

Florence  Sewing  Machine  Company. — An  old  shop,  now  surrounded 
by  new  buildings,  built  about  1844,  on  the  site  of  the  Oilgas  Stove 
plant,  was  used  as  a  dyehouse,  and  afterwards  for  the  manufacture  of 
silk,  by  Valentine  &  Sowerby.  The  buildings  were  afterwards  used  for 
the  manufacture  of  circular  sawmills  and  various  kinds  of  machinery 
job  work,  by  Hiram  Wells  &  Company.  It  was  while  at  work  in  this_, 
simp,  that  I..  W.  Langdon  experimented;  while  busifid  with  his  invent  u  .n 
of  the  Florence  sewing  machine.  D.  G.  Littlefield  and  S.  L.  Hill  joined 
with  Mr.  Langdon,  and,  after  spending  considerable  money  in  experi- 
ments, perfected  and  brought  out  the  first  machine  in  the  year  1861. 
In  1S61  the  first  company  was  formed,  with  a  capital  of  $125,000.  In 
1862  it  was  increased  to  $200,000,  and  in  1S64  the  first  building  was 
erected.      In  1866  the  capital  was  increased  to  $500,000. 

Business  was  brisk  at  the  works  for  several  years,  the  company 
employing  a  large  number  of  men,  and.  making  several  additions  to  the 
plant.  In  1876  the  manufacture  of  oil  stoves  was  commenced  and  in 
1882  the  Crown  sewing  machine  superseded  the  old  Florence.  Many 
changes  in    the   management   accompanied   the    varying  success   of   the 


INDUSTRIAL    IN  I'KkLSTS. 


'■43 


business  from  year  to  year.  About  1SS0  ().  N.  Kyle  became  the  treasurer 
of  t he  company.  In  1888  Karl  A.  Thissell,  as  superintendent,  assisted 
Mr.  Kyle  in  the  management  of  the  works,  and  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Kyle, 
October  tenth,  1889,  he  became  the  treasurer  of  the  company. 

The  Central  Oilgas  Stove  Company  was  incorporated  November 
fifteenth,  1890.  It  absorbed  the  Florence  Machine  Company  ;  American 
Oil  Stove  Company,  Gardner,  Mass.  ;  Monitor  Oil  Stove  Company, 
Cleveland,  O.  ;  Union  Gas  and  Oil  Stove  Company,  New  York  city  ; 
and  thirteen  other  oil  and  gas  stove  manufacturing  companies.  Their 
salesrooms  are  at  Boston,  New  York  city,  and  Chicago,  and  their  manu- 
facturing plants  in  Gardner,  Mass.,  Greenwich,  Conn.,  Jackson,  Mich., 
and  at  Florence,  Mass.,  at  which  place  is  the  home  office. 


THE    CENTRAL    OILGAS    STOVE    COMPANY'S    WORKS    AT    FLORENCE,    GARDNER,    AND    JACKSON. 

Their  manufactures  are  wood  cabinets  for  silk  manufacturers,  the 
Crown  sewing  machine,  which  has  a  reputation  of  being  equal  to  any 
sewing  machine  built,  and  an  almost  endless  variety  of  oil  stoves  ;  also  a 
large  variety  of  gas  stoves.  These  stoves  are  for  both  cooking  and  heat- 
ing purposes,  and  have  a  world-wide  reputation. 

The  officers  of  the  company  are  :  John  C.  Hammond,  president  ;  Earl 
A.  Thissell,  first  vice-president  ;  Charles  W.  Conant,  of  Gardner,  second 
vice-president;  William  H.  Wilder,  treasurer;  Herbert  D.  Burnham, 
assistant  treasurer;  W.  XV.  Tandy,  auditor.  The  directors  consist  of  the 
president,  vice-presidents,  treasurer,  H.  P.  Field,  H.  P.  Wilder  of 
Gardner,  L.  H.  Littlefield  of  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  and  Calvin  H.  Hdl  of 
Chicago,  111. 


244  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

The  John  N.  Leonard  Silk  Company. — When  Captain  Conant,  E.  D. 
Swift,  and  O.  S.  Chaffee  withdrew  from  the  Community  in  October,  1842, 
they  purchased  Enoch  Jewett's  farm,  including  the  water  power  and  shop, 
and  began  manufacturing  silk  in  a  small  wood  mill  they  erected,  which 
now  forms  a  part  of  the  Leonard  factories  between  Florence  and  the 
Center.  The  firm  name  was  J.  Conant  &  Company.  Mr.  Swift  died 
soon  after,  and  Porter  Nutting  and  John  Harten  were  interested  in  the 
new  venture  for  a  short  time,  until  a  new  firm  was  formed,  Warner, 
Holland  &  Company  (Joseph  Warner,  J.  Harvey  Holland,  and  Caleb  M. 
Hartwell),  which  continued  the  business  until,  in  1852,  WTarner  &  Skin- 
ner (Warner,  L.  D.  Suydam,  and  William  Skinner)  succeeded  the  old 
firm.  Mr.  Skinner  sold  his  interest  in  a  few  years  to  Mr.  Warner,  who 
carried  on  the  business  alone  until  187 1,  when  J.  S.  Lathrop  became  Mr. 
Warner's  partner.  Luther  Warner  succeeded  Warner  &  Lathrop  in  1877, 
the  date  of  Mr.  Warner's  death.  Several  changes  in  the  management 
have  been  made  in  recent  years,  and  now  the  above  corporation  has  the 
following  board  of  officers  :  President,  Samuel  Porter;  treasurer,  Luther 
Warner  ;  secretary,  John  W.  Combs.  Directors  :  the  president,  treas- 
urer, and  secretary,  with  John  L.  Warner  and  Charles  E.  Eaton. 

Amos  Sawyer  started  the  soap  business  in  1852,  on  the  site  of  the 
electric  car  barns.  When  he  began  he  sent  out  only  one  team,  but  the 
business  increased  rapidly,  and  in  1868  he  built  a  large  factory,  and  later 
made  extensive  additions  to  his  plant.  The  business  prospered  until  fire 
destroyed  the  factory  with  all  its  contents  in  the  early  evening  of  Sun- 
day, May  eighth,    1887. 

Florence  Savings  Bank  was  incorporated  February  twelfth,  1873, 
on  the  petition  of  Samuel  L.  Hill,  George  A.  Burr,  A.  T.  Lilly,  A.  L. 
Williston,  and  Isaac  Parsons.  To  Rev.  F.  W.  Bishop,  the  first  pasto'r  of 
the  Methodist  church,  is  due  the  credit  of  starting  the  bank,  he  having 
proposed  the  undertaking  to  several  business  men.  The  first  president, 
A.  T.  Lilly,  remained  in  office  till  his  death  in  1S90,  when  Samuel  Porter 
was  elected.  H.  H.  Bond,  the  first  secretary  and  treasurer,  in  whose  law 
office  in  Davis  block  the  first  meeting  of  trustees  was  held,  and  where 
the  banking  was  conducted  for  several  years,  was  succeeded  in  1880  by 
his  sister,  Mary  W.  Bond,  who  was  the  first  woman  to  hold  the  office  of 
treasurer  of  a  savings  bank  in  Massachusetts,  and  who  continued  to  per- 
form with  skill  and  fidelity  the  duties  of  the  office  until  her  death  in 
September,  189 1.  The  office  of  the  bank  remained  in  Davis  block  until 
1891,  when  it  was  moved  to  the  present  quarters  of  the  bank.  Miss 
Mary  E.  Gould  succeeded  Miss  Bond,  and  Miss  Emilie  M.  Plimpton  was 
appointed  bookkeeper. 


INDUS  I  KIAI,     INTERESTS. 


245 


Number  of  depositors  one  year  from  incorporation,  232  ;  amount  of 
deposit.  $19,478;  number  of  depositors,  November  first,  1894,  1,289; 
amount  of  deposit,  $281,899  5  guaranty  fund  in  1894,  $13,767. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1867,  several  of  the  citizens  organized  the 
Florence  Mercantile  Association,  with  the  object  of  selling  groceries,  dry 
goods,  etc.,  as  cheaply  as  possible,  and  still  pay  a  fair  dividend  on  the 
money  invested.  The  association  erected  the  brick  block  on  Main  street, 
since  known  as  Branch's  block.  The  capital  stock  was  less  than  $6,000, 
and  in  five  years  from  organization  dividends  amounting  to  forty  per 
cent,  had  been  paid.  Dissensions  arose,  however,  and  in  1876  the 
stockholders  voted  to  disband,  R.  M.  Branch  buying  the  stock  on  hand. 

Cutler,  Plimpton    &;   Company. — In    1865   William   A.   Godfrey   and 
L.  K.  Baker  erected  a  small  building  on  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Maple 
and    West     Center 
streets,     and     moved  jr3 

their  store  from  the 
old  cotton  factory 
boarding  house  to 
this  new  building. 
Henry  F.  Cutler 
bought  a  half  interest 
in  the  business,  April, 
1866,  a  short  time  pre- 
vious to  Mr.  Godfrey's 
death,  and  later  ob- 
tained L.  K.  Baker's 
stock  at  auction.  Mr. 
Cutler  conducted  the 
business  about  two  years,  selling  out  to  R.  M.  Branch,  who  remained 
proprietor  nearly  twelve  months,  when  the  firm  Cutler,  Plimpton  &  Com- 
pany (H.  F.  Cutler,  L.  F.  Plimpton,  and  V.  E.  Cleveland)  was  formed,  and 
took  possession  of  the  business.  After  a  few  years  Mr.  Cleveland  with- 
drew, George  T.  Cutler  taking  his  place.  Several  additions  to  the  new 
building  have  been  made  necessary  by  the  continually  increasing  busi- 
ness, and  where  the  firm  employed  no  clerks  at  the  start,  now  the  services 
of  seven  are  required.  The  business  consists  of  nearly  all  kinds  of  mer- 
chandise. 

R.  M.  Branch  bought  the  property  of  the  Mercantile  Association  in 
1876.     Mr.  Branch  at  that  time  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  I.  S.  Parsons 


HC 


sawyer's  soap  factory. 

From  the  original  sketch  by  C.  C.  Burleigh,  Jr 


246  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

&  Company  ;  he  closed  the  store  on  Nonotuck  street,  moving  the  goods 
to  the  brick  block  on  Main  street,  now  known  as  Branch's  block,  where 
he  has  since  conducted  a  store,  dealing  in  general  merchandise. 

Graves  Brothers. — In  1844  Nelson  Askins  opened  a  livery  stable  on 
Nonotuck  street.  For  fifteen  years  the  owners  wyere  Nelson  Askins, 
Sylvester  J.  Bosworth,  Fordyce  Loomis,  Taylor,  Loomis  &  Atkins,  and 
G.  E.  Atkins.  In  1859  Edward  E.  Graves  purchased  a  half  interest  in 
Mr.  Atkins'  business,  and  later  in  the  same  year  George  S.  Graves  pur- 
chased the  other  half  interest  of  Mr.  Atkins.  In  1867  they  erected  their 
present  stables  on  Maple  street. 

Austin  Ross. — When  the  Community  dissolved,  Austin  Ross  bought 
the  farm  and  continued  the  milk  business.  His  son,  Dwight  A.  Ross, 
now  has  the  management  of  this  long  established  business.  The  large 
barns  were  erected  in  1869. 

August  Assing,  Sr.,  tailor,  came  to  Florence  in  1854,  from  Derms- 
dorf,  Germany.  Two  years  later  he  built  his  house  on  Maple  street, 
where  his  shop  has  since  been. 

John  W.  Bird. — The  first  Florence  newsdealer  was  a  Mr.  Brigham, 
who  opened  a  news  store  in  1867.  A  Mr.  Upton  succeeded  him,  and  later 
W.  H.  Riley  purchased  the  store  and  moved  it  from  Little's  block  into  a 
small  building  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Maple  streets.  Mr.  Riley  sold 
out  to  L.  Woodward,  who  in  turn  sold  out  to  John  W.  Bird,  August  first, 
1883.  The  little  store  was  replaced  by  Maine's  block  in  1S89.  Mr. 
Bird's  business  is  that  of  a  bookseller,  newsdealer,  and  stationer. 

Crossman  &  Polmatier. — Thomas  A.  Orcutt  started  the  hardware 
business  in  1870,  and  two  years  later  built  a  store,  now  Crossman  & 
Polmatier's,  and  began  the  stove  and  tinning  business.  Mr.  Orcutt  sold 
out  in  1879,  and  from  that  time  the  store  had  a  number  of  proprietors, 
among  them  being  Samuel  Wilder,  until  1886,  when  Crossman  &  Polma- 
tier bought  it.  This  firm  does  a  general  hardware  and  plumbing  busi- 
ness, employing  from  four  to  nine  men. 

John  Irwin  established  himself  in  the  village  in  1867,  and  continued 
the  business  of  a  mason  until  his  death  in  1872,  when  Henry  Swift 
became  proprietor.  Mr.  Swift  died  in  1889,  and  his  son,  John  N.  Swift, 
the  present  owner,  took  charge  of  the  business. 

Nelson  A.  Davis  opened  the  first  drug  store  in  the  place,  in  the 
spring  of  1871,  and  still  conducts  the  same  business.  Davis  block,  a  brick 
building  forty-five  by  sixty  feet  and  three  stories  high,  was  built  in  1870, 
and  besides  store  and  office  room  has  a  commodious  hall. 


INDUSTRIAL    [NTERES  is. 


247 


Arthur  M.  Ware. —  For  thirty  years  there  lias  been  a  meat  market 
on  the  site  now  owned  by  Arthur  M.  Ware.  M.  II.  Ware  purchased  the 
business  in  1S77,  of  C.  L.  Warren.  Mr.  Ware  in  turn  sold  it  to  Ware  & 
Taylor  in  1888,  this  firm  continuing  for  two  years,  when  Arthur  M.  Ware 
bought  out  his  partner's  interest.  He  employs  three  men  and  does  a 
large  business. 

Israel  A.  Graves  has  been  a  real  estate  dealer  for  thirty  years,  and 
has  conducted  a  livery  stable  during  the  last  fifteen  years. 

Florence  Hotel. — This  landmark  was  erected  over  forty  years  ago 
by  Joel  Abercrombie,  who  conducted  it  as  a  hotel  for  a  number  of  years. 
James  Stone,  who  succeeded  him,  managed  the  house  for  seven  years, 
and  then  Hiram  Munson  purchased  it.  After  one  year,  Charles  Osgood 
accepted  the   management,  and  in  a  short  time  he  sold  it  to  the  present 


THE    OLD    "FLORENCE    HOUSE.' 
From  a  photograph  taken  about   1S60. 


proprietor,  Michael  Cooney.  The  house  was  formerly  two  stories  in 
height,  the  present  proprietor  having  made  many  improvements  both 
inside  and  out. 

Myron  C.  Howard  started  in  the  house  painting  business  in  March, 
1871.  The  business  has  steadily  increased  until  now  he  employs  from 
ten  to  twenty  men.  He  owns  the  brick  block  at  the  junction  of  Park 
and  Meadow  streets,  where  he  conducts  his  business  of  painting,  paper 
hanging,  decorating,  etc. 

Rudolph  Furth,  Jr. — In  June,  1877,  Rudolph  Furth,  Sr.,  erected  a 
building  on   the  site  of  the  engine   house    for  a  barber  shop.      His  son. 


248  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

Rudolph  Furth,  Jr.,  succeeded  him  several  years  ago,  and  is  now  pro- 
prietor. 

Charles  O.  Parsons. — The  business  now  conducted  by  C.  O.  Par- 
sons, consisting  of  coal,  wood,  flour  and  meal,  hay  and  grain,  besides  a 
general  store  for  the  sale  of  clothing  and  men's  furnishings,  was  started 
by  his  father,  H.  K.  Parsons,  in  1876.  In  1880  the  present  large  build- 
ings were  erected  and  the  business  has  prospered  so  that  now  six  men 
and  teams  are  given  constant  employment. 

Walter  C.  Goodwin,  carpenter,  erected  his  present  wood  factory 
on  Myrtle  street  in  1876,  and  has  since  manufactured  packing  boxes,  and 
conducted  a  shop  for  general  wood-work.  The  building  was  enlarged 
in  1880,  and  again  in  1890.  A  few  years  ago  he  built  a  steam  sawmill 
on  the  road  to  North  Farms,  where  he  gets  out  lumber  for  his  shop. 

Robert  H.  Pease  purchased  the  grain  store  of  L.  B.  Moore  in  1877. 
A  year  later  he  moved  to  the  Squires  building,  and  in  1881  erected  his 
present  block  on  North  Main  street,  adding  to  his  business  a  line  of 
groceries  and  men's  furnishings.* 

Thomas  A.  Orcutt. — In  1879  J.  M.  Davis  and  T.  A.  Orcutt  formed  a 
partnership  to  conduct  undertaking,  and  carriage  making  and  repairing, 
having  their  works  in  the  Squires  building.  Mr.  Davis  sold  his  interest 
to  Mr.  Orcutt  after  six  months,  and  Mr.  Orcutt  remained  proprietor 
till  1892,  when  D.  D.  O'Donnell  bought  an  interest  in  the  undertaking 
business. 

George  N.  Davis. — For  twenty  years  there  has  been  a  jeweler  at 
Davis'  Pharmacy,  and  the  present  proprietor,  George  N.  Davis,  bought 
out  E.  M.  Beckwith  in  February,  1894.  For  years  William  M.  Smith  had 
this  stand. 

Thomas  Roche  purchased  the  insolvent  estate  of  F.  A.  Barnes, 
dealer  in  drugs  and  medicines,  last  spring,  Roche's  block,  formerly 
Stone's,  was  built  in  1884,  F.  A.  and  VV.  E.  Barnes  starting  the  drug 
business  the  same  year. 

George  N.  Baker,  insurance  agent  and  dealer  in  real  estate,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  business  established  in  1873  by  Mr.  Morse.  His  office  is  in 
Knights  of  Honor  block. 

Frank  W.  Bissell,  carriage  and  sign  painter,  bought  out  J.  C.  Jager, 
in  April,  1889.  Mr.  Jager  had  carried  on  this  business  since  1879.  Mr. 
Bissell's  shop  is  in  the  Squire's  building  on  North  Maple  street. 

William   H.   Rice  started    the  ice  business  in  1884.     In  1888  he  pur- 


*  This  was  written  previous  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Pease,  December  seventeenth,  1S94. 


INDUSTRIAL    INTERESTS.  249 

chased  the   coal    business   of    W.  C.  Goodwin,  and    now  employs   several 
men,  having  his  office  in  M.  C.  Howard's  block. 

Ferdinand  Schadee  started  the  photography  business  in  Branch's 
block  in  18S5.  He  had  previously  been  in  Northampton,  the  firm  being 
Hardie  &  Schadee. 

Mrs.  Mary  C.  Shannon. — In  1886,  Misses  Mary  and  Maggie  Powers 
Opened  a  millinery  and  dressmaking  store  in  Stone's  (Roche's)  block. 
Three  years  later  the  former,  then  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Shannon,  moved  to 
Maine's  block,  where  she  now  conducts  a  store  devoted  to  millinery  and 
ladies'  furnishings. 

Mrs.  Mary  S.  Mann  is  the  owner  of  the  cluster  of  greenhouses  on  the 
corner  of  Pine  and  Maple  streets.  She  commenced  in  a  small  way  in 
1887,  and  now  has  about  twelve  thousand  feet  of  glass,  and  employs  from 
four  to  six  hands  besides  the  foreman. 

E.  P.  Root,  wagon  maker  and  repairer,  came  to  Florence  in  1887  and 
now  has  his  shop  in  the  Squire's  building. 

Samuel  Li.oyd,  who  was  a  butcher,  started  the  manufacture  of 
pressed  corned  beef  in  18S7.  Two  years  later  he  built  his  present  quar- 
ters, putting  in  steam  power  and  modern  machinery.  He  employs  from 
two  to  six  men,  and  finds  a  ready  market  for  his  celebrated  "  Steam 
Condensed  Beef." 

Frank  D.  R.  Warner  purchased  the  candy  business  of  Charles  L. 
Moody,  then  situated  in  Little's  block,  in  1889,  and  two  years  later  moved 
to  his  present  location,  corner  of  Main  and  Maple  streets.  He  carries 
in  stock  a  full  line  of  musical  merchandise. 

F.  H.  Stone's  meat  market  and  grocery  store  was  established  in  1890, 
in  the  Koche  block.  The  livery  business  of.  E.  A.  Stone  is  now  controlled 
by  Mr.  F.  H.  Stone. 

Michelman  Brothers'  (Max  and  Myer)  dry  goods,  clothing,  and 
men's  furnishing  goods  business  was  started  four  years  ago  by  the 
brothers,  Israel,  Philip,  Max,  and  Myer  Michelman,  in  their  present 
quarters  in  Knights  of  Honor  block. 

Miss  Mary  E.  Gould. — Miss  Mary  W.  Bond,  in  connection  with 
Miss  Gould,  opened  an  office  for  fire  insurance,  in  1891.  Since  the  death 
of  Miss  Bond  the  business  has  been  conducted  by  Miss  Gould. 

John  J.  Delaney  purchased  the  barber  shop  owned  by  Dennis  Fitz- 
gerald, which  was  located  in  the  hotel,  on  May  seventh,  1891,  and  a  few 
days  later  removed  it  to  Cooney's  block,  refitting  the  shop  with  modern 
improvements. 


250  HISTORY    OF    FLORENCE. 

,    George  H.   Burnham  erected  his  present  livery  stable  in    1891,  and 
has  since  conducted  the  business. 

Elbridge  W.  Patrell  opened  a  grocery  store  in  Davis  block  in 
March,  1892. 

PoLMATiER  &  Addis. — A.  J.  Polmatier  opened  a  trimming  and  plumb- 
ing shop,  in  March,  1893,  and  later  formed  a  partnership  with  Edwin  C. 
Addis.  Last  October  they  opened  a  stove  and  tin  store  in  Knights  of 
Honor  block. 


ERRATA. 


On  page  34,  line  4,  read  1835  instead  of   1834. 
On  page  59,  line  19,  read  1836  instead  of  1833  or  1835. 
On    page    126,   line   9,   read    Giles   B.    Stebbins   instead   of     Giles    D. 
Stebbins. 


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